In Re Law and Legal Definition
In re is a Latin phrase meaning “in the matter of.” When in re appears in the title of a court case, it means that the judicial proceeding may not have formally designated adverse parties or is otherwise uncontested. The use of in re refers to the object or person that is the primary subject of the case. In re is commonly used in probate proceedings. It is also used in juvenile courts. Sometimes in re is used for a proceeding where one party makes an application to the court without necessarily charging an adversary. This may be done, for example, where a couple seeks to adopt a child or an adult wants to change his or her name. In re is also used in the title or name of a case where the proceeding is in rem or quasi in rem and not in personam and occasionally in the title of an ex parte proceeding.
