res ipsa loquitur

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English

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Etymology

From the Latin phrase rēs ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself, literally the thing itself speaks).

Phrase

res ipsa loquitur

  1. The import of a thing or situation is obvious.
    Synonyms: clear cut, cut and dried, open and shut, open and shut case
  2. (tort law) A maxim where the very improbable facts of an accident imply the negligence of the defendant. It effectively shifts the burden of proof to the defendant.
    Coordinate term: prima facie
    • 2004, Nurse's Legal Handbook, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, →ISBN, page 160:
      The court in that case established three criteria that must be shown for res ipsa loquitur to apply: The injury must be the kind that ordinarily doesn't occur in the absence of some type of negligence.
    • 2005, Vivienne Harpwood, Modern Tort Law, 6th edition, Psychology Press, →ISBN, page 153:
      Res ipsa loquitur was frequently applied in cases involving foreign bodies in foodstuffs.

Translations

Latin

Alternative forms

Etymology

From rēs (thing) + ipsa (herself), the feminine of ipse (himself) because rēs is a feminine word + loquitur (she speaks) the third-person form of loquor (I speak). Literally meaning "the thing itself speaks" or "the matter itself speaks".

Phrase

rēs ipsa loquitur

  1. the thing speaks for itself