Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

ad-litem

Legal Term

/ˌæd ˈlaɪtəm/

Definition

A Latin term meaning ‘for the suit’ which refers to a guardian appointed by the court to represent a minor or an incapacitated person in a legal action.

Examples

The judge appointed an attorney ad-litem to ensure the child’s best interests were represented in the custody hearing.
In the case of the incapacitated individual, the court assigned a guardian ad-litem to manage the legal proceedings.

Meaning

Ad-litem is used in legal contexts to describe someone who is designated by the court to represent another person in a legal matter, typically when that person is unable to represent themselves due to reasons like being a minor or having a disability.