Legal Definitions - dominus litis

Definition: Dominus litis (dom-uh-nuhs lI-tis) is a Latin term used in civil and maritime law. It refers to the party who makes decisions in a lawsuit, usually distinguished from the attorney. In maritime law, it can also refer to a third person who represents an absent party in a case. It is also known as litis dominium.

For example, in a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff is the dominus litis because they are the one who initiated the lawsuit and make the decisions regarding the case. The defendant, on the other hand, is not the dominus litis because they are not the one who initiated the lawsuit.

In maritime law, if a party is absent from a case, a third person can represent them. This third person is known as the dominus litis because they make decisions on behalf of the absent party.

These examples illustrate how the dominus litis is the party who has the power to make decisions in a lawsuit or case. They are the ones who control the direction of the case and make important decisions regarding the outcome.