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

The definition of dereliction is the intentional property abandonment or desertion with no hope of returning or recovery of a property. Dereliction is the act of abandonment, neglect of ...

To confirm, ratify, verify, and accept a transaction that can be canceled. ...

Real estate business owned by one person having all the rights and obligations. ...

A loan whereby the lender, in the event of a default, has recourse beyond the collateral pledged to initially secure it. For example, John gave Brian a $50,000 recourse loan using Brian's ...

A relatively unknown term, laches or the” doctrine of laches,” means failure to assert one’s rights or a claim in a given matter in time. Failing to take action on a ...

Fence constructed at the property line or other division point separating a subdivision or a home site. It marks the point of separation between two separate properties. ...

Modification in the amount of money involved for some justifiable reason. ...

Rezoning of land from a higher density use to a lower density use. ...

The definition of property acquisition cost in real estate is the total recorded cost of a piece of real estate after reductions in price, incentives, closing costs and any other ...

Popular Real Estate Questions