sua sponte

adverb or adjective

sua spon·​te
ˈsü-ə-ˈspän-tē, -ˈspōn-tā
: on the court's own motion or initiative
authorize the court to order a new trial sua sponte—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
the court's sua sponte dismissal

Word History

Etymology

Latin, of its own accord

Dictionary Entries Near sua sponte

suable

sua sponte

sub-

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Cite this Entry

“Sua sponte.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/sua%20sponte. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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