Duhaime's Law Dictionary Q Legal definitions for terms and concepts beginning with Q Quaere Latin for "query" as in an issue on which some doubt or question exists. Quaestor In ancient Roman law, senior legal advisor. Qualified Immunity Shields public official from any litigation in regards to acts undertaken in good faith. Qualified Privilege A defence in defamation actions that defeats the claim when the alleged defamation issues during specified occasions. Quam legem exteri nobis posuere, eandem illis ponemus Latin: What law is imposed by foreign powers on our merchants, we will impose on their's. Quando Jus Domini Regis Et Subditi Concurrunt, Jus Regis Praeferri Debet Latin: When the right of the sovereign and that of a subject conflict, the right of the sovereign is to be preferred. Quantum Latin: amount or extent. Quantum Meruit Latin: as much as is deserved. Quash To set aside. Quasi-Contract Civil law: a contract implied and imposed by law resulting from certain actions of a person. Quasi-Delict Civil law: a delict (wrong) caused by negligence. Quasi-Judicial Administrative tribunals or government officials which, in their decision-making process, are subject to the rules of natural justice. Queen's Bench Originally, the common criminal court of the common law; later, the general superior court. Queen's Counsel An designation of a senior barrister indicating of its title holder faithfulness to the Crown, but more recently, contribution to the profession of lawyers. Queen's Proctor An English office investigating and appearing in select family law cases. Queer Commonly, a synonym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons but also an umbrella term for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, transgender, intersexual or of any other non-heterosexual sexuality, sexual anatomy or gender identity. Quesas Muslim law: the right of a person who has suffered corporal injuries by the act of another, to inflict, or have inflicted similar injuries upon the aggressor. Question of Discretion Where an appeal predominantly takes issue with the lower court's exercise of judicial discretion. Question of Fact Questions about what actually took place between the parties. Question of Law Questions touching the scope, effect or application of a rule of law which the courts apply in determining the rights of parties. Question of Privilege A term of parliamentary law and procedure which refers to an urgent motion made at a meeting which seeks an immediate ruling on an alleged violation of the rights or privileges of members as a whole, or in regards to a negative personal remark. Question of Mixed Law and Fact An appellate standard of review of a lower court's order where the appeal issues are divided between question(s) of fact and question(s) of law. Quia Emptores A 1290 English statute that held that notwithstanding the subdivision (subinfeudation) of a feeholding; the new tenant owed feudal rights and obligations not to the seller but to the Land Lord. Quick Take A formal process of the exercise of eminent domain in which the government takes possession before the adjudication of compensation. Quicquid Plantatur Solo, Solo Cedit Latin: whatever is planted in the ground, belongs to the ground. Quid Pro Quo Latin: something for something. Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Workplace harassment which conditions employment or promotion on sexual favors. Quiet Enjoyment A landlord's obligation to provide the tenant with reasonable privacy and freedom from any interference with the tenant's exclusive use and enjoyment of the rented premises. Qui Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se Latin: he who acts through another, acts himself. Qui Jure Suo Utitur Neminem Facit Injuriam Latin: he who exercises his legal rights harms no one. Qui Jussu Judicis Aliquod Fecerit, Non Videtur Dolo Malo Fecisse, Quia Parere Necesse Est Latin: One who does a wrongful act by order of a Court having jurisdiction, is not liable in tort, because he must obey the law. Qui Non Obstat Quod Obstare Potest, Facere Videtur Latin: an individual who does not prevent something which he/she could of prevented, is taken to have done that thing. Qui Prior Est Tempore, Potior Est Jure Latin: he who is earlier in time is stronger in law. Quistclose Trust A trust which arises to the benefit of the donor when property is advanced for a specific purpose and that purpose fails. Qui Tam Latin: who as well. Quitclaim A document in which a person who has an alleged interest in real property, transfers this interest to another. Quod Ab Initio Non Valet In Tractu Temporis Non Convalesait Latin: That which was originally void does not by lapse of time become valid. Quod Remedio Destituitur Ipsa Re Valet, Si Culpa Absit Latin: That which is without a remedy is valid by the thing itself, if there be no fault. Quorum The minimum number of voting members that must be in attendance at a meeting of an organization for that meeting to be regularly constituted. Quo Warranto Latin: legal procedure taken to stop a person or organization from doing something for which it may not have the legal authority, by demanding to know by what right they exercise the controversial authority. Page1 (Qu - Qu) Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!