Legal Definitions - ex nobili officio

Term: ex nobili officio
Definition: When a judicial act is done as a matter of fairness, it is called ex nobili officio. This term comes from Latin and means "by virtue of its noble office."
Examples: If a judge decides to intervene in a case to ensure that justice is served, even if it is not strictly required by the law, they are acting ex nobili officio. For example, if a landlord tries to evict a tenant without following proper legal procedures, a judge may step in to protect the tenant's rights, even if the tenant has not filed a formal complaint. This is an example of a judicial act done as a matter of equity, or ex nobili officio. Another example might be if a judge decides to reduce a defendant's sentence because they believe the punishment is too harsh. In both cases, the judge is using their position to ensure that justice is served, even if it means going beyond what is strictly required by the law.