Legal Definitions - et non

ET NON

Et non (et non) is a Latin phrase that means "and not." It was previously used in legal pleading to introduce negative statements in a special traverse.

Absque hoc (abs-kwee hok) is another Latin phrase that means "without this." It was also used in common-law pleading to deny allegations.

Example 1: The defendant pleaded et non to the accusation that he stole the plaintiff's car.

Example 2: The plaintiff responded with absque hoc to the defendant's claim that he had permission to use the car.

These examples illustrate how et non and absque hoc were used in legal pleading to deny allegations made by the opposing party.