Legal Definitions - dolus

Dolus is a Latin term that means "device" or "artifice." In Roman and civil law, it refers to:

1. Fraud or deceit, which is conduct intended to deceive someone or bad faith. Fraud always includes dolus, but there may be dolus without fraud.
2. Intentional aggression or willful injury, especially to another's property.

For example, if someone lies to another person to induce them to enter into a contract, and that lie is instrumental in inducing the other person to enter into the contract, it is considered dolus dans locum contractui.

Dolus malus is a specific type of dolus that refers to evil or fraudulent design or intent, which is an unjustifiable deceit. Dolus bonus, on the other hand, refers to shrewdness or justifiable deceit, such as lying to an attacker to prevent an assault. Dolus bonus does not produce any legal consequences.

Overall, dolus refers to intentional wrongdoing or deceitful behavior that can have legal consequences.