Also known as: in the matter of
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A Latin phrase used to caption judicial proceedings that lack formally adverse parties and instead address a thing such as an estate or a family status determination.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Imani Idowu files a petition seeking dissolution of her marriage to Irene Ingalls. The clerk captions the action In re the Marriage of Idowu and Ingalls under the governing statute. The title signals that the proceeding concerns marital status rather than a dispute between opposing litigants.
Police charge fifteen-year-old Iain Irons with theft. The state files a petition in juvenile court. The caption reads In re Iain Irons to reflect that the matter determines the minor's status rather than pitting the state against an adult defendant.
Iris Irons sues federal agents for an alleged Fourth Amendment violation during a search. Counsel files the complaint as a Bivens action. The docket clerk lists the case without an In re prefix because adverse parties appear on both sides.
Officers arrest India Inoue on suspicion of robbery. She moves to suppress statements made before receiving warnings. The resulting appeal carries an ordinary party-versus-party caption because the dispute involves two opposing litigants rather than a status determination.
Ivy Investments seeks a permit to operate a group home. The city denies the application. The company sues the city in federal court. The caption lists the parties by name because the litigation presents a direct controversy between adverse entities.
Inertia Dynamics challenges a state labor statute limiting work hours. The bakery owner sues the state attorney general. The case caption uses party names because the proceeding resolves a concrete dispute between opposing litigants rather than adjudicating a status or estate.
A dissolution, legal-separation, or invalidity proceeding must be captioned In re the Marriage of the two spouses. A custody or support proceeding must be captioned In re the Custody or Support of the child.
Supporting sources
The phrase typically signals proceedings without formally adverse parties, such as estate administrations or status adjudications. Party-versus-party litigation uses ordinary captions even when constitutional or procedural issues arise.
Supporting sources
Look for the phrase followed by a thing or status rather than opposing names. The caption itself tells the reader that the case concerns a non-adversarial determination such as marital status or a juvenile matter.
Supporting sources
…with good medical practice and under circumstances that do not violate the laws of the community in which he practices. "In the matter of abortions, as of any other medical procedure, the Judicial Council becomes involved whenever there is alleged violation of the Principles of Medical Ethics as established by the House of…