Duhaime's Law Dictionary Locus Definition: Latin: the place; venue. Related Terms: Lex Loci Contractus Also: locum or loci. In Sweet & Maxwell's anonymously-authored, 1960 book Latin for Lawyers, at page 264, this: "Locus: place." Locus typically forms part of other Latin maxims or phrases such as: Lex loci (the law of a place); Lex loci contractus (the law of the place of the contract) Lex loci delecti (the place of the wrong); Locum tenens (temporarily holding an office); Locus criminis (the place of the crime); Locus publicus (a public place); Locus regit actum (the place where the facts occured); Locus sigilli (the place where the seal was apposed); Locus standi (legal standing); and Ratione loci (by reason of the place). Or lawyers talk of the locus delicti as the place where a criminal offense was committed or in loco parentis to refer to a person who stands in the place of a parent such as a step-parent in a common law relationship. Categories & Topics: Dictionary of Latin Law Terms Duhaime's Civil Litigation & Evidence Law Dictionary Duhaime's International Law Dictionary 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!