Legal Dictionary
De Jure
Definition
According to rightful entitlement or claim; by right.
Deep Dive
"De jure" is a Latin term meaning "by right" or "according to law," referring to a state of affairs that is legally or formally recognized, legitimate, and established by law. It describes situations that exist based on legal entitlement, statute, or official proclamation, representing what is lawful or rightful, often in contrast to what exists in practice (de facto). This concept is fundamental in legal and political discourse for establishing legitimacy, authority, and adherence to formal rules.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1The newly elected president is the de jure head of state, holding the office by constitutional right and legal election.
- 2A company holds a de jure patent for its technology, granting it exclusive legal rights to that invention.
- 3After a country achieves independence, its new government is recognized as the de jure authority by international law.
Related Terms
De FactoLegitimacyStatutory LawSovereignty