Legal Definitions - conjectio causae

Conjectio causae is a Latin term that means "putting together of a cause." In Roman law, it refers to the summary presentation of a case before the court by the parties or their advocates.

For example, in a civil case, the plaintiff's lawyer might make a conjectio causae by presenting a summary of the facts of the case and the legal arguments supporting their client's position. The defendant's lawyer would then have the opportunity to respond with their own conjectio causae, presenting their own summary of the case and legal arguments.

In a criminal case, the prosecutor would make a conjectio causae by presenting the evidence against the defendant and arguing that it proves their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense attorney would then have the opportunity to present their own conjectio causae, arguing that the evidence is insufficient to prove guilt or that there are other factors that should be taken into account.

Conjectio causae is an important part of the legal process because it allows both sides to present their arguments and evidence in a clear and concise manner. By summarizing the case in this way, the parties can focus on the most important points and avoid getting bogged down in irrelevant details. This helps the court to make a fair and informed decision based on the merits of the case.