Latin Phrase of the Week

Audiatur et altera pars.

audire (verb) to hear (audiatur = 3rd pers. singular, present konj.passiv
= he, she, it may be heard)
et and, also
alter, a, um the other, the next, the second
pars, partis, fem. part, section, fraction


Audiatur et altera pars is a Latin phrase that literally means "Hear also the other side".
It is most often used to refer to the principle that no person should be judged without a fair hearing in which each party is given the opportunity to respond to the evidence against them.
It is considered a principle of fundamental justice or equity in most legal systems. The principle includes the rights of a party or his lawyers to confront the witnesses against him, to have a fair opportunity to challenge the evidence presented by the other party, to summon one's own witnesses and to present evidence, and to have counsel, if necessary at public expense, in order to make one's case properly.