De bene esse

De bene esse is a Latin phrase meaning of well being. In the context of American law, it means something done conditionally, provisionally, or in anticipation of future need. For example, a proceeding de bene esse is one "which [is] taken ex parte or provisionally and [is] allowed to stand as well done for the present."[1] A deposition that is used or intended to be used in place of a witness' live testimony in court is referred to as a de bene esse deposition.[2]

In past times, an appearance de bene esse was a special appearance made solely to contest jurisdiction.[3] The procedure has long been abolished in most if not all jurisdictions in favor of allowing jurisdictional objections to be made either by motion or set out as an affirmative defense in a responsive pleading (an answer to the complaint): in the Federal courts, the procedure was superannuated by the adoption of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,[4] and, in Pennsylvania, by a 1965 amendment to the state rules of civil procedure.[5] The procedure plays a part in the alternate legal theories of some "sovereign citizens."[6]

References

  1. ↑ Black's Law Dictionary, 5th edition.
  2. ↑ See, e.g., Coface Collections N. Am., Inc. v. Newton, No. 11-cv-52, at 2 n.1 (D. Del. Dec. 28, 2012) (mem.) ("De bene esse depositions are not listed in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure but are understood by courts to mean depositions that will be used to preserve testimony for trial rather than to discover new information. De bene esse depositions are sometimes referred to as 'preservation depositions' or 'trial depositions.'" (citation omitted)).
  3. ↑ Farmers Trust Co. v. Alexander, 6 A.2d 262, 265; 334 Pa. 434, 440 (1939).
  4. ↑ See Orange Theatre Corp. v. Rayherstz Amusement Corp., 139 F.2d 871, 874 (3d Cir. 1944) (“Rule 12 has abolished for the federal courts the age-old distinction between general and special appearances. A defendant need no longer appear specially to attack the court’s jurisdiction over him. He is no longer required at the door of the federal courthouse to intone that ancient abracadabra of the law, de bene esse, in order by its magic power to enable himself to remain outside even while he steps within. He may now enter openly in full confidence that he will not thereby be giving up any keys to the courthouse door which he possessed before he came in.”); Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(2).
  5. ↑ See Fleck v. McHugh, 241 Pa. Super. Ct. 307, 313 (1976); Pa. R. Civ. P. 1012.
  6. ↑ Wallen, Janet Mary. "Notice of Appearance in Writing". Supreme Law Firm.
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