ex parte

American

[eks pahr-tee] / ɛks ˈpɑr ti /

adjective

from or on one side only of a dispute, as a divorce suit; without notice to or the presence of the other party.

ex parte British

/ ɛks ˈpɑːtɪ /

adjective

law (of an application in a judicial proceeding) on behalf of one side or party only

an ex parte injunction

"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 ex parte

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1665–75

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.

See Examples For:

ex parte

There appears to be no serious dispute that Martin communicated with Blackburne-Rigsby ex parte not once, not twice, but three separate times, all in an effort to evade discipline against him.

From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2026

I sent a letter to the judge explaining the situation and copied all parties to avoid ex parte communication.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 11, 2026

That’s after an allegedly improper ex parte meeting that excluded the defense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2024

In a court filing seen by Newsweek on Wednesday, the DHS said that it complied with the order “by submitting declarations with attachments for ex parte review” by way of encrypted link.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 11, 2024

First Because one of the Parties was not notified or present at the same, consequently the trial ex parte unconstitutional and illegal on every principle.

From Colonel John Brown, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Brave Accuser of Benedict Arnold by Archibald Murray Howe

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