Also known as: viz. · viz · namely · that is to say
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A Latin adverb used in legal drafting to introduce a more particular statement of matters previously mentioned in general terms. It specifies time, place, manner, or other details essential to the issue at hand. The abbreviation viz. is commonly substituted in modern instruments.
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Veronica Villanueva conveyed land in State A to Virgil Volpe. The deed recited that the parties' interests would be governed by the law of the state with the most significant relationship to the thing and the parties, videlicet State A because the land lay there and both parties resided there at execution. When a later dispute arose over title, the court applied State A law to resolve the competing claims.
Vanessa Vinson petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus directing the Secretary of State to deliver her commission. The petition alleged that the commission had been signed and sealed, videlicet on the date the President approved the appointment, and that delivery alone remained. The Court held that it lacked original jurisdiction to issue the writ.
Victor Vargas owned a parcel taken by the City of Chicago for a street widening. The complaint described the taking as occurring without just compensation, videlicet the sum of one dollar tendered for the strip of land. The Supreme Court held that the Due Process Clause required payment of the land's fair market value.
Viola Volkov owned acreage zoned for single-family residences. The complaint alleged that the ordinance deprived her of property without due process, videlicet by prohibiting all commercial development on the tract. The Supreme Court upheld the zoning as a valid exercise of the police power.
Vaughn Valentine owned an apartment building. The complaint stated that installation of cable equipment constituted a physical taking, videlicet the permanent occupation of roof space by the cable company's boxes and wires. The Supreme Court held that even minor permanent physical occupations require compensation.
Vanguard Bank required employees to salute the flag each morning. The complaint alleged that the requirement violated the First Amendment, videlicet by compelling employees to affirm beliefs they did not hold. The Supreme Court held that the state could not compel such affirmations.
Videlicet introduces a more particular statement of matters previously mentioned in general terms. It is used to specify time, place, or manner when those details are essential to the issue.
Supporting sources
Both terms mean "that is to say" or "namely," but videlicet has historically been the more common abbreviation in pleadings and instruments.
Supporting sources
Videlicet is appropriate when the writer needs to particularize a general statement without altering the grammatical structure of the preceding clause.
Supporting sources
…entitled. A justice of the peace in the District of Columbia is not removable at the will of the President. At the last term, viz. December term, 1801, William Marbury, Dennis Ramsay, Robert Townsend Hooe, and William Harper, by their counsel Charles Lee, late Attorney General of the United States, severally moved the…