Legal Definitions - gratia curiae

Definition: Gratia curiae is a Latin term that means "favor of the court." It refers to a situation where a court may make a decision that is not strictly required by law, but is done as a gesture of goodwill or fairness.

Example: An example of gratia curiae might be a judge allowing a party to amend their complaint after the deadline has passed, even though the rules do not permit it. The judge may do this as a favor to the party, recognizing that the party may have made an innocent mistake or that justice would be better served by allowing the amendment.

Explanation: In this example, the judge is showing "favor of the court" by allowing the party to amend their complaint even though it is not strictly required by law. The judge is using their discretion to make a decision that is fair and just, even if it goes beyond what the rules require. This is an example of how gratia curiae can be used to promote fairness and equity in the legal system.