1 Latin term meaning "in fact " By virtue of the deed or accomplishment; actually Used to refer to a situation in which a condition or institution is operating as though it were official or pursuant to law, but which is not legally authorized Such situations may arise where, for example, an authorizing law is declared invalid, or required legal formalities have not been satisfied Compare De jure
In fact A state of affairs which must be accepted for all practical purposes, but does not have the sanction of laws behind it; as distinguished from de jure
Latin for "in deed, in fact, in reality" Refers to a fact or an act that occurs as a matter of practice and reality rather than from de jure, meaning a lawfully and rightfully occurring act Deferred Payments Money payments to be delayed for a future date or extended period of time
[Latin: as a matter of fact] something which, while not necessarily lawful or legally sanctified, exists in fact A common law spouse may be referred to a de facto wife or de facto husband: although not legally married, they live and carry-on their lives as if married A de facto government is one which has seized power by force or in any other unconstitutional method and governs in spite of the existence of a de jure government
Latin: as a matter of fact; something which, while not necessarily lawful or legally sanctified, exists in fact A common law spouse may be referred to a de facto wife or de facto husband: although not legally married, they live and carry-on their lives as if married A de facto government is one which has seized power by force or in any other unconstitutional method and governs in spite of the existence of a de jure government
existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not; "de facto segregation is as real as segration imposed by law"; "a de facto state of war" in reality or fact; "the result was, de facto, a one-party system
De facto is used to indicate that something is a particular thing, even though it was not planned or intended to be that thing. This might be interpreted as a de facto recognition of the republic's independence. de jure De facto is also an adverb. They will be de facto in a state of war. really existing although not legally stated to exist de jure