Definition of "Obiter dictum"

Opinion of a judge having no direct legal or binding effect on the outcome of a pending judicial decision. An obiter dictum is considered to be an incidental judicial remark about some point that may or may not be directly relevant to the matter before the bench. For example, while ruling in favor of a mortgagor in a foreclosure action brought by the mortgagee, a judge states an obiter dictum to the mortgagor saying "in the future, pay your bills on time".

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Certificate usually granted by a jurisdictions building department certifying a specified premise has satisfactorily complied with all zoning and building ordinances. This certification is ...

Real property usable in a trade or business. Such as, the property on a which retail store, hotel, or office building are located. ...

Two or more people have a legal duty that can be enforced against them by joint action, against all members, and against themselves as individuals. For example, a bank can require repayment ...

Also called functional depreciation. Loss of value that results from improvements that are inadequate, outdated, overly adequate, or improperly designed for today's needs. May be curable or ...

Generally, a nominee defines an individual or company whose name appears on securities or real estate. First and foremost, their purpose is to assist the progress of a particular ...

Standard language in real estate contracts and prospectuses-usually in small print. ...

Stiff pipe used to cover electrical wiring for safety purposes. ...

File of prospective real estate customers showing their address, telephone number, time and date of last contact, types of properties in which they are interested, and their financial ...

Authority given by a municipality to perform specified operations in a certain zoning area. Conditions are sometimes attached by the zoning group. An example is permission to have a ...

Popular Real Estate Questions