adjective
ex parte
eks PAR-tee
Ex parte (adjective) means of a court application, hearing or order: made by or for one side only, without the other party present or notified. Example: “She obtained an ex parte injunction the same afternoon.”
adjective
1
legal Of a court application, hearing or order: made by or for one side only, without the other party present or notified.
"She obtained an ex parte injunction the same afternoon."
"The judge refused to grant the order ex parte and listed a full hearing."
2
legal Made on behalf of one party, as of a communication or affidavit; often implying it should not have been made privately.
"Counsel was criticised for an ex parte communication with the judge."
adverb
1
legal On the application of one party alone, without the other side being heard.
"The freezing order was granted ex parte and served that evening."
How to use ex parte
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWith only one side of a case present in court.
When to use it
Strictly legal. English civil courts now often prefer the plain phrase 'without notice', but ex parte remains standard in the US and in many other jurisdictions.
Memory tip
It stays two words and is not hyphenated; older English texts italicise it as Latin.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
inter partes
in camera
ex post facto
Common pairings
ex parte application
ex parte order
ex parte hearing
ex parte communication
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She obtained an _____ injunction the same afternoon.
Etymology
Latin, literally 'from a part' or 'on behalf of one side'.
Synonyms
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without notice
one-sided
Antonyms
inter partes
on notice
Related words
Rhymes for ex parte
See all rhymes for ex parte →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ex parte and inter partes?
An ex parte application is heard with only one side present, usually because there is no time to notify the other party or because warning them would defeat the purpose. An inter partes hearing has both sides represented and able to argue. Ex parte orders are normally short-lived and come back for a full hearing.
When can a court act ex parte?
Only in limited circumstances — typically genuine urgency, or where notice would let the other party destroy evidence, move assets or cause harm. The applicant owes a duty of full and frank disclosure, including facts that hurt their own case.
Why do old case names say 'Ex parte Smith'?
It signals that the proceedings were brought on the application of that person rather than against them, as in habeas corpus and judicial review cases. Modern English practice mostly uses 'R (on the application of Smith)' instead.
What is the meaning of ex parte?
"ex parte" (adjective) means of a court application, hearing or order: made by or for one side only, without the other party present or notified.
