ex parte
adverb or adjective
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Latin has not been over-used in a procedural context ('ex parte' being a rare exception,) wrote a correspondent to the London Times in May 1999. Indeed, ex parte (which literally meant "on behalf [of]" in Medieval Latin) pops up quite often in legal settings. An ex parte proceeding, for example, is one that occurs at the request of and for the benefit of one party, usually without the knowledge and participation of any other party. Even when ex parte steps outside of the courtroom - to be used of an ex parte meeting, interview, chat, conversation, investigation, discussion, or contact, for example - the one-sided sense often has some sort of legal or legislative slant, referring to involvement of just one party or side in a case or dispute.
Examples of ex parte in a Sentence
Israel Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
An ex parte pleading means the filings went directly to the judge, without notifying the other parties in the case.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
The gas companies also allege that Gillett engaged in an improper, ex parte conversation with a party to the rate case.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
Since the court would be aware that the school board has a lawyer, issuing a temporary restraining order ex parte, or without the board’s lawyer, is not possible in this case.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ex parte
Cite this Entry
“Ex parte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ex%20parte. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
ex parte
adverb or adjective
Medieval Latin, on behalf (of)
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