Ab Initio (Legal Definition: All You Need To Know)

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What Does Ab Initio Mean

Ab Initio is a Latin phrase that you can literally translate to mean “from the beginning”.

The Latin phrase ab initio is commonly used in legal writings and texts.

For example, a contract is void ab initio as the minor did not have the legal capacity to sign.

This means that a contract was void from the beginning.

Another example of how the term ab initio can be used is when referring to a trespasser.

If a law enforcement officer enters a property with the legal authority to seize a specific item and who fails to observe the legal authority given to him or her and engages in misconduct or takes other property, the agent is said to be a trespasser ab initio (trespasser from the beginning).

In addition to the use of the phrase ab initio in law, it can also be used in science, engineering, and other disciplines like literature.

For example, in mathematics or other similar disciplines, an ab initio calculation is one that is based on fundamental laws of nature without any assumptions or models baked into it.

An ab initio calculation is therefore a calculation from the principle.

Ab Initio Definition

How do you define ab initio in the English language?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ab initio is defined as follows:

The phrase comes from the Latin root “initium” meaning “beginning”.

Ab Initio Pronunciation

You pronounce ab initio as “ab” “inissio”.

Ab Initio Meaning Takeaways 

So what is the ab initio legal definition?

In law, the phrase ab initio is used in legal texts and writings.

One common use of the term ab-initio in law is to refer to a contract that was invalid from the start (contract void ab initio).

For example, if a contract was formed under duress or fraudulent manner, the contract should have not existed from the start as the contract formation rules have not been observed.

In this case, the contract is said to be void ab initio (or invalid from the start).

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Ab Initio Definition In Law Overview

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