Ex rel
Encyclopedia
Ex rel is an abbreviation of the Latin
phrase "ex relatione" meaning "by the relation of" (or, loosely translated, "on behalf of"). The term is a legal phrase most commonly used when a government
brings a cause of action
upon the request of a private party who has some interest in the matter. The private party is called the relator
in such a case. Governments typically accept applications and commence litigation for ex rel actions only if the interest advanced by the private party is similar to the interest of the government. The term can also be used when a relative or party in privity brings suit on another person's behalf. For example, the Terri Schiavo
appeal to the United States Supreme Court was titled Schiavo ex rel. Schindler v. Schiavo.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase "ex relatione" meaning "by the relation of" (or, loosely translated, "on behalf of"). The term is a legal phrase most commonly used when a government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
brings a cause of action
Cause of action
In the law, a cause of action is a set of facts sufficient to justify a right to sue to obtain money, property, or the enforcement of a right against another party. The term also refers to the legal theory upon which a plaintiff brings suit...
upon the request of a private party who has some interest in the matter. The private party is called the relator
Relator (law)
-Qui Tam action:A Qui Tam Action may be brought by any party against an entity that is fraudulently collecting money from the United States government by filing false claims. The party bringing the suit -- the relator -- must have possession of information substantiating the claim of fraud against...
in such a case. Governments typically accept applications and commence litigation for ex rel actions only if the interest advanced by the private party is similar to the interest of the government. The term can also be used when a relative or party in privity brings suit on another person's behalf. For example, the Terri Schiavo
Terri Schiavo
The Terri Schiavo case was a legal battle in the United States between the legal guardians and the parents of Teresa Marie "Terri" Schiavo that lasted from 1998 to 2005...
appeal to the United States Supreme Court was titled Schiavo ex rel. Schindler v. Schiavo.