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Law vocabulary · Latin Legal Terms

De facto

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˌdeɪ ˈfæktəʊ/adjectiveCommon term

In law, de facto means: Existing in reality or in practice, even if not officially established by law; the opposite of 'de jure', which means 'by law'.

In Turkish: fiili, fiilen

How it is used

Used as an adjective ('a de facto director', 'de facto control') or as an adverb ('the rule became de facto law'). In company law a 'de facto director' acts as a director without being formally appointed and may have the same duties.

Example sentences

  1. Although he was never appointed, the court treated him as a de facto director.

  2. English has become the de facto language of international arbitration.

Common collocations

  • de facto director
  • de facto control
  • de facto standard
  • de facto and de jure
  • bona fideReal and honest, or acting in good faith without any intention to deceive; from the Latin for 'in good faith'.
  • prima facieBased on what is first seen or known, before closer examination; in law, enough to support a claim unless the other side proves otherwise.
  • inter aliaA Latin expression meaning 'among other things', used to show that only some items from a longer list are being mentioned.
  • legalConnected with the law or the legal system; also allowed by the law, the opposite of illegal.

More terms: Latin Legal Terms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.