Ex Rel. Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Ex Rel.?

conj. abbreviation for Latin ex relatione, meaning “upon being related” or “upon information,” used in the title of a legal proceeding filed by a state Attorney General (or the federal Department of Justice) on behalf of the government, on the instigation of a private person, who needs the state to enforce the rights of himself/herself and the public. For example, the caption would read: The State of Tennessee ex rel. Archie Johnson v. Hardy Products.

History and Meaning of Ex Rel.

Ex Rel. is an abbreviation for the Latin term "ex relatione" which means "upon being related" or "upon information." It is commonly used in the title of a legal procedure filed by a state Attorney General or the federal Department of Justice on behalf of the government initiated by a private person. The individual or private person needs the state to enforce his/her rights and the rights of the public.

Ex Rel. allows a private person to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the government, and the lawsuit is filed as if the government is the plaintiff. The private individual, called the relator, acts as a whistleblower to bring attention to the government about fraudulent activities. Ex Rel. is commonly used in cases of fraud against the government, such as healthcare or financial fraud.

Examples of Ex Rel.

  1. The State of Nevada ex rel. John Smith v. XYZ Corporation, a lawsuit filed to recover damages on behalf of the State by John Smith for fraudulent activities.

  2. The United States ex rel. Sally Jones v. ABC Medical, a lawsuit filed to recover damages on behalf of the government by Sally Jones for fraudulent Medicare billing practices.

Legal Terms Similar to Ex Rel.

  1. Qui Tam Lawsuit - A lawsuit filed on behalf of the government or a government agency by a private citizen, typically in cases of fraud or false claims.

  2. Pro Se - A person who represents themselves in court without a lawyer.

  3. Intervention - The procedure by which a third party, who was not originally part of a pending suit, joins the lawsuit, either as a plaintiff or defendant.