ex parte

/ɛks ˈpɑrti/

In civil law, ex parte proceedings benefit one person or party, and they happen without consulting the opposing side. Most ex parte decisions are temporary.

Judges rarely allow ex parte hearings, because court rules require both parties to be present. An ex parte proceeding is almost always a temporary arrangement in an emergency situation. For example, one parent might get custody of a child in an ex parte motion, but only until a formal hearing with both parents happens. The Latin ex parte means "on the one side only." You can also use it to mean "from a one-sided or prejudiced point of view."

Definitions of ex parte

1. adjective

   (law) on behalf of or involving only one party
2. adverb

   (law) done on behalf of or involving only one party
3. adjective

   from a one-sided or biased point of view
4. adverb

   done or said from a one-sided or biased point of view