Legal Definitions - dicis causa

Definition: Dicis causa is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to transactions completed in a certain form to conceal their true purpose. It means "for form's sake" or "on the surface."

Example: A person may sell a property to another person for a nominal amount of money, but the true purpose of the transaction is to transfer ownership without paying taxes or fulfilling legal requirements. In this case, the transaction is completed dicis causa, meaning that it is done for form's sake to conceal the true purpose of the sale.

Explanation: The example illustrates how dicis causa can be used to hide the true purpose of a transaction. By completing the sale in a certain form, the parties involved can avoid legal requirements or taxes that would apply if the true purpose of the sale were known. Dicis causa transactions are often used to deceive or defraud others, and they are generally considered illegal or unethical.