Also known as: quid pro quo
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A thing or benefit given by one party in a reciprocal exchange for another thing or benefit.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Queenie Quick attends a private dinner hosted by a recently convicted racketeer who invites several known organized-crime figures. The social invitation functions as the quid exchanged for potential future access or goodwill from the judge. Even without evidence of an actual bargain, the association raises concerns about judicial integrity.
Quade Quincy contributes the maximum amount to multiple candidates and committees in a single cycle. The aggregate cap prevents him from delivering the full quid of additional funds in exchange for broader political access. The restriction is challenged as limiting participation without preventing specific corruption.
Quinn Industries spends treasury funds on independent advertisements supporting a candidate. The expenditure serves as the quid offered without any direct coordination or promise of official action in return. The spending is defended as protected speech rather than a corrupt exchange.
Quinton Quimby seeks a building permit to enlarge a beachfront home. The commission conditions approval on granting a public access easement across the property. The easement operates as the quid demanded in exchange for the development right.
Quillan Quick burns a cross on private property visible to the public. The city ordinance treats the act as fighting words subject to special prohibition. The targeted ban is attacked because it selects one form of expression as the quid for heightened punishment while leaving other offensive speech untouched.
Quinlan Quick, commanding a privateer, captures a vessel and claims the cargo as prize. The court examines whether the seizure supplies the quid supporting a valid condemnation under international law. The absence of proper commissioning defeats the claim to the captured goods.
It refers to the thing or benefit one party supplies in return for a reciprocal benefit or action from the other party.
No. A personal relationship or gift of information can supply the required personal benefit even without a direct financial transfer.
The quid is the contribution or expenditure. The quo is the official action or access the contributor seeks in return.
Yes. Payments intended to influence a general course of conduct or to reward future favorable treatment can still constitute the exchange.
…more essential ingredient of an effective candidacy. To the extent that large contributions are given to secure a political quid pro quo from current and potential office holders, the integrity of our system of representative democracy is undermined. Although the scope of such pernicious practices can never be reliably…