Ad Litem
Literal meaning: “For the suit; for the purposes of the litigation”
What does the Latin term "Ad Litem" mean in law?
Ad litem designates an appointment made solely for the purposes of a particular legal action. A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court to represent the interests of a minor, incapacitated person, or unborn beneficiary in a specific lawsuit. Unlike a general guardian, a guardian ad litem has no authority beyond the litigation for which they were appointed. The concept extends to administrators ad litem, who may be appointed to represent the interests of a deceased person's estate in a pending suit. The appointment terminates automatically when the litigation concludes.
Source: Procedure · Legal Latin
Legal Definition
Ad litem designates an appointment made solely for the purposes of a particular legal action. A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court to represent the interests of a minor, incapacitated person, or unborn beneficiary in a specific lawsuit. Unlike a general guardian, a guardian ad litem has no authority beyond the litigation for which they were appointed. The concept extends to administrators ad litem, who may be appointed to represent the interests of a deceased person's estate in a pending suit. The appointment terminates automatically when the litigation concludes.
How It's Used
Courts appoint representatives ad litem when a party to litigation cannot adequately represent their own interests. The term appears most frequently in family law, probate matters, and cases involving minors or incompetent persons.
Example Sentences
The court appointed a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the three minor children in the custody proceeding.
Because the estate had no personal representative, the probate court named an administrator ad litem to defend the wrongful death claim.
The guardian ad litem filed a report recommending that the child's best interests would be served by remaining with the foster family.