Legal Definitions - Cui bono

Definition: Cui bono? is a Latin phrase that means "For whose advantage?" or "Who benefits?". It is often used to ask who benefited from the results of a crime, without offering evidence of guilt. However, it can also be used to ask what benefits there are in a situation.

• After the CEO resigned, some people asked, "Cui bono?" to find out who would benefit from his departure.
• When a new policy is introduced, someone might ask, "Cui bono?" to understand who will benefit from the change.

These examples illustrate how the phrase can be used to question who stands to gain from a situation. It can be used in a criminal investigation to cast suspicion on someone without offering evidence of guilt. It can also be used in a broader sense to understand the motivations behind a decision or action.