Legal Definitions - Pendente lite

Definition: Pendente lite is a Latin term that means "pending the suit" or "pending the litigation underway." It refers to a legal situation where a case is still ongoing and has not yet been resolved.

Example 1: In a divorce case, a judge may issue a pendente lite order for temporary child support or spousal support while the case is still pending.

Example 2: A business owner may file a lawsuit against a former employee for breach of contract. The court may issue a pendente lite injunction to prevent the employee from working for a competitor until the case is resolved.

Both examples illustrate how pendente lite is used in legal proceedings to refer to temporary orders or injunctions that are put in place while a case is still ongoing. These orders are meant to provide temporary relief until a final decision is made.