ad litem

American

[ad lahy-tem] / ˈæd ˈlaɪ tɛm /

adjective

Law.

for the particular action or proceeding.

a guardian ad litem.

ad litem British

/ æd ˈlaɪtɛm /

adjective

(formerly, esp of a guardian) appointed for a lawsuit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ad litem

1760–70; < Latin; litigate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The court appointed a guardian ad litem to serve as a legal advocate for the boy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2023

The judge pointed to concerns about media attention in Missouri expressed by the guardian ad litem appointed to represent the children’s interests.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2022

However, in court documents Foster said that the suit was “brought in bad faith” and that both Hudson and his guardian ad litem had signed off on the accounting.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2022

They argue that under Ohio’s Safe Harbor law, Martin should have been granted a guardian ad litem to represent her interests and given supportive services, and that her case should have remained in juvenile court.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2022

“Tandoori, Harrison, and Hugo are all minors. You had no right to interrogate them without a parent or guardian ad litem present.”

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023