Seriatim Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Seriatim?

(prep) Seriatim is the arrangements of events, facts, issues, statements etc in an orderly manner representing the sequences of its occurrence or other mode of identification. The Latin word ‘sear-ee-ah-tim’ means “one after another.”

History and Meaning of Seriatim

Seriatim is a Latin word that means "one after another" and is often used in legal contexts. The term is used to describe the arrangement of events, statements, facts, or issues in a sequential and ordered manner, representing their occurrences. The seriatim arrangement is often used when dealing with complex legal cases or when there are multiple issues involved that require the parties involved to address them one by one.

The term has its roots in English law, where it was used to describe court opinions that were delivered in sections by individual judges. In these cases, each judge would provide their own opinions on the case, which were then combined to form a complete decision.

Examples of Seriatim

  1. In a court hearing, the legal team presenting the case may outline their arguments seriatim, presenting them one after the other, in a structured and organized manner.

  2. When writing a research paper, the author may present their arguments seriatim, in a sequential and orderly fashion, to build a coherent and logical argument.

  3. In a complex lawsuit with multiple parties and issues involved, the court may address each issue seriatim, to ensure a proper understanding of each issue before moving on to the next.

Legal Terms Similar to Seriatim

  1. Cursory - a term used to describe a superficial or brief review or examination of a legal case or issue.

  2. In Toto - a Latin term used in legal contexts to describe a consideration of the entire matter at hand.

  3. Obiter Dicta - a Latin term used to describe statements made in a legal opinion that are not central to the decision but may be persuasive in future cases.