ex rel.
Law & Legal abbreviation · Latin Legal
| Stands for | Ex relatione (on the relation of) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
ex rel. stands for Ex relatione (on the relation of), a Latin legal abbreviation.
Phrase in a case name showing that the government is suing on the information or at the instigation of a private party, called the relator, as in "United States ex rel. Smith v. Acme Corp." It is standard in qui tam suits under the False Claims Act.
Example: United States ex rel. Smith v. Acme Health was unsealed after the government declined to intervene.
Usage notes
It also appears in petitions for writs such as mandamus brought in a state's name, as in "State ex rel. Jones v. Board of Education". A relator who brings a successful False Claims Act case can receive 15 to 30 percent of the government's recovery. Bluebook Rule 10.2.1 shortens "on the relation of" and similar phrases to "ex rel."
Related abbreviations
More Latin legal abbreviations
- c.t.a. – Cum testamento annexo (with the will annexed)
- cert. – Certiorari
- Cur. adv. vult – Curia advisari vult (the court wishes to consider)
- d.b.n. – De bonis non (of goods not administered)
- et ux. – Et uxor (and wife)
- ex p. – Ex parte (on the application of)
- fi. fa. – Fieri facias (that you cause to be made)
- habeas – Habeas corpus (you should have the body)
- i.a. – Inter alia (among other things)
- IFP – In forma pauperis (in the manner of a pauper)
- JNOV – Judgment non obstante veredicto (judgment notwithstanding the verdict)
- L.S. – Locus sigilli (place of the seal)
See all 22 Latin legal abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.