Suo motu Meaning and Definition

Suo motu

Suo motu

Pronunciation

/ˌsuː Ë‹mɒtjuː/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A term used in legal and judiciary contexts, referring to an initiative taken by a court or a judge without being prompted by a party in a case, to address a pressing issue or question.

Examples

  • The court took suo motu cognizance of the matter and issued a directive to address the problem.
  • The judge took suo motu notice of the dispute and ordered a reconciliation.
  • The court intervened suo motu to protect the rights of the minority community.

Synonyms

  • Initiative
  • Voluntary
  • Spontaneous

Antonyms

  • Mandamus
  • Election

Etymology

Suo motu is a Latin phrase that means “of its own motion.” It is derived from the Latin words “suo” meaning “of one’s own” and “motu” meaning “motion” or “action.”

Usage Notes

Suo motu is often used in legal contexts, particularly in appeals or writs petitions, when a court takes cognizance of a matter without being prompted by the parties involved. It can also be used more broadly to refer to any initiative or action taken without being prompted by external factors.

Cultural References

Suo motu is a concept that has been used in several notable cases and judgments in Indian courts, including the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

N/A

Related Words or Phrases

  • Adhoc
  • Ex mero motu
  • Mandamus

Collocations

  • Suo motu action
  • Suo motu notice
  • Suo motu cognizance

Frequency of Use

Suo motu is a term that is used relatively infrequently, particularly outside of legal and judiciary contexts. However, it can be an important concept to understand for those working in these fields.

Common Misspellings

Suomoto, Suomitu, Suomot

Related Words