Corpus Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Corpus, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Corpus?

History and Meaning of Corpus

Corpus is a Latin term meaning body. It is often used in legal contexts, such as in trust and estate law, to refer to the principal sum of money or property that is held in trust or left behind by an individual after their death. Corpus juris, on the other hand, refers to a body of law.

The concept of corpus dates back to Roman law. In ancient Rome, the term "corpus" was used to refer to the body of an individual, as well as to the body of laws that governed the Roman Empire. Over time, the term came to be used in legal contexts as a way of referring to the principal sum or body of property that was the subject of a legal action.

Examples of Corpus

Here are a few examples of how the term "corpus" might be used in different legal contexts:

• In trust law, the term corpus refers to the sum of money or property that has been set aside to generate income for the trust beneficiaries. For example, if a wealthy individual creates a trust to benefit their children, the corpus of the trust might consist of stocks, bonds, and other investments that generate income for the beneficiaries.

• In estate law, the term corpus refers to the body of property that is left behind by an individual after their death. This might include real estate, personal property, and other assets that are part of the individual's estate. The executor of the estate is responsible for managing the corpus of the estate and distributing it to the heirs according to the individual's wishes.

• In legal research, the term corpus juris refers to a collection of legal texts that make up the body of law. For example, a researcher might use the term to refer to the collection of federal statutes and regulations that make up the corpus of federal law in the United States.

Legal Terms Similar to Corpus

Here are a few legal terms that are similar to corpus:

• Principal: This term is often used interchangeably with corpus, especially in trust and estate law. It refers to the sum of money or property that is held in trust or left behind by an individual after their death.
• Res: This is a Latin term that means "thing." In legal contexts, it is often used to refer to the subject matter of a legal action. For example, the res of a lawsuit might be a parcel of land that is the subject of a dispute.
• Estate: This term refers to the body of property that is left behind by an individual after their death. It includes the corpus of the estate as well as any debts or other obligations that the individual may have had at the time of their death.
• Trust: A trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee holds a sum of money or property on behalf of a beneficiary. The corpus of the trust is the sum of money or property that has been set aside to generate income for the beneficiary.
• Probate: Probate is the legal process by which the assets of an individual's estate are distributed after their death. The probate process involves validating the individual's will, paying off any debts or taxes owed by the estate, managing the corpus of the estate, and distributing the remaining assets to the heirs.