Legal Definitions - coram judice

Definition: Coram judice means "in the presence of a judge." It refers to a legal proceeding or hearing that takes place in front of a judge or magistrate. It can also refer to the jurisdiction or authority of a court to hear and decide a case.

Examples:

• A defendant must appear coram judice to enter a plea in court.
• The case was dismissed due to lack of coram judice, as the court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

These examples illustrate how coram judice is used in legal contexts. The first example shows how a defendant must physically be present in front of a judge to enter a plea. The second example demonstrates how a court must have the proper jurisdiction to hear and decide a case, or else it cannot proceed.