Brevitatis Causa: A Key Concept in Scots Law Explained

Definition & Meaning

Brevitatis causa is a Latin phrase that translates to "for the sake of brevity." In legal contexts, particularly in Scots law, it is used to indicate that certain documents or parts of documents are referenced without being fully quoted. This term allows lawyers to avoid lengthy reproductions of text by acknowledging that additional relevant materials are included in the case but not explicitly stated in the legal papers.

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Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: In a civil lawsuit, a lawyer may file a motion that references a previous contract without quoting it in full. They might state, "As per the contract dated January 1, 2022, brevitatis causa, the terms are incorporated herein."

Example 2: In a criminal case, an attorney could reference a police report in their brief, stating, "The findings in the police report, brevitatis causa, are acknowledged as part of the evidence."

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition Difference
Incorporation by Reference Including a document in a legal filing without quoting it in full. Brevitatis causa specifically emphasizes brevity in legal documents.
Exhibit A document or object presented as evidence in court. Brevitatis causa does not involve physical evidence but refers to documents.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you encounter the term brevitatis causa in your legal matters, consider the following steps:

  • Review the referenced documents to ensure you understand their contents.
  • Consult with a legal professional if you have questions about how this term affects your case.
  • Explore US Legal Forms for templates that can help you prepare your legal documents efficiently.

Quick facts

Attribute Details
Usage Legal documents and filings
Purpose To avoid lengthy reproductions of documents
Legal Areas Civil law, criminal law

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

It means "for the sake of brevity" and is used in legal contexts to reference documents without quoting them fully.