Legal Definitions - ex delicto

Ex delicto

Ex delicto is a term used to describe the consequences of a wrongful or illegal action, such as a tort or a crime. It is different from ex contractu, which refers to the consequences of breaking a contract.

1. If someone is injured in a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, they may be able to sue the driver for damages ex delicto.

2. If a person is robbed at gunpoint, the perpetrator may be charged with a crime ex delicto.

These examples illustrate how ex delicto is used to describe the legal consequences of a wrongful or illegal action. In the first example, the driver's negligence caused harm to another person, resulting in a potential lawsuit for damages. In the second example, the perpetrator committed a crime by robbing someone at gunpoint, which could result in criminal charges.