85. “Pendente lite” is a latin term meaning “pending the litigation.

It refers to an order
which is in effect awaiting the litigation (lawsuit).
86. “Per curiam” is a latin term which means "by the court." An opinion from an
appellate court that does not identify any specific judge who may have written the
opinion.
87. “Plain meaning rule” is applied in statute or contract interpretation that when the
language is unambiguous and clear on its face, the meaning of the statute or contract
must be determined from the language of the statute or contract and not from
extrinsic evidence.
88. “Pleadings” refers to the formal allegations by the parties of their respective claims
and defenses, for the judgment of the court.
89. “Ponente” is the member to whom the court, after its deliberation on the merit of the
case, assigns the writing of its decision or resolution in the case.
90. “Precedent” is a legal principle, created by a court decision, which provides an
example or authority for judges deciding similar issues later. Generally, decisions of
higher courts (within a particular system of courts) are mandatory precedents on
lower courts within that system. That means the principle announced by a higher
court must be followed in later cases.
91. “Prejudicial question” is defined as that which arises in a case the resolution of
which is a logical antecedent of the issue involved therein, and the cognizance of
which pertains to another tribunal.
92. “Prima facie” is a latin term meaning “on its face”. This means that evidence is
sufficient to raise a presumption of fact or to establish the fact in question unless
questioned.
93. “Pro bono” is a latin term which means “for the public good”. It is the designation
given to the free legal work done by an attorney for indigent clients and religious,
charitable, and other non-profit entities.
94. “Pro hac vice” or in English, “this time only”. This is the allowance of something not
usually allowed, usually referring to an attorney who normally could not practice in a
certain jurisdiction, but is allowed to, just for one case.
95. “Pro se” is a latin term which means “for himself”. This refers to when one is
appearing for oneself, as in the case of one who does not retain a lawyer and appears
for himself or herself in court.
96. “Question of fact” is a factual dispute between litigants that must be resolved at the
trial. It is an issue that is material to the outcome of the case and requires an
interpretation of conflicting views on the factual circumstances surrounding the case.
97. “Question of Law” involves the interpretation of principles that are potentially
applicable to other cases. It is a legal issue about the application or interpretation of a
particular law to be resolved by a judge.
98. “Ratio decidendi” is a latin phrase meaning “the reason for the decision.” It refers to
the legal, moral, political and social principles on which a court’s decision rests or the
rationale for reaching the decision of a case.
99. “Ratio legis” or “the reason of a law”. It is used in the legal language to indicate the
logical element of the law, or the purpose that animated the legislator in the issuance
of the law.
100. “Recusal” refers to the act of a judge or prosecutor being removed or excusing one's
self from a legal case due to conflict of interest or other good reason.
101. “Rejoinder” is an answer to a reply. It is made by the defendant to answer a
replication by the plaintiff.
102. “Res ipsa loquitor” or “the thing speaks for itself”. It is a doctrine or rule of evidence
in tort law that permits an inference or presumption that a defendant was negligent
in an accident injuring the plaintiff on the basis of circumstantial evidence if the
accident was of a kind that does not ordinarily occur in the absence of negligence.
103. “Rollo” refers to a court record.
104. “Ruling” refers to any decision made by a judge during the course of litigation.
105. “Separate opinion” means an opinion written by a judge separately from other
judges, which either agrees or disagrees with the opinion written by the majority of
judges.
106. “Shari’a” or “Muslim Law” refers to all the ordinances and regulations governing
Muslims as found principally in the Qur'an and the Hadith.
107. “Sin perjucio judgment” is a decision or judgment without a statement of the facts in
support of its conclusions.
108. “Stare decisis” is the latin for “to stand by things decided.” It dictates that once a
principle of law has been determined by an appellate court to be applicable to the
facts of a case, it will be followed in the future cases involving substantially identical
facts, unless overruled by the same or a higher court.
109. “Subjudice” is a latin term meaning “under judicial consideration”. It is a matter or
case that is before a judge or court for determination.
110. “Traverse” is the formal denial of a fact alleged in the opposite party's pleading. It
signifies to deny or controvert anything which is alleged in the declaration, plea,
replication or other pleadings.