ab initio

Definition

From the time when a law, legal right or decree, contract, ownership interest, partnership (etc.) comes into force.

Etymology

From Latin ab (“from”) + initiō, ablative singular of initium (“beginning”).

Example Sentences

• "As the Act was passed without the required quorum, the constitutional court struck down the Act and declared it to be void ab initio"
• "Any child marriage solemnised in contravention of an injunction order issued under section 13, whether interim or final, shall be void ab initio."
• "[…] this soul does not exist ab initio, as orthodox Christianity teaches; it has to be brought into existence by a process of guided self-observation. However, this is rarely achieved, owing to man's unique ability to be distracted from spiritual matters by everyday trivia."