Ex rel.

{{Short description|Latin legal phrase}} {{Refimprove|date=September 2014}} {{Italic title}} '''''Ex rel.''''' is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "''ex relatione''{{-"}} (meaning "[arising] out of the relation/narration [of the relator]" ). The term is a legal phrase; the legal citation guide, the ''Bluebook'', describes ''ex rel.'' as a "procedural phrase" and requires using it to abbreviate "on the relation of", "for the use of", "on behalf of", and similar expressions.<ref>{{cite book | publisher=Harvard Law Review | title=Bluebook | edition=19th | isbn=9780615361161 |chapter=Case Names 10.2 | date=2010 }}</ref>

It is most commonly used when a government brings a cause of action upon the request of a private party who has some interest in the matter. The private party is called the ''relator'' in such a case. The government acts on the basis of the narration or recounting (Latin ''relatione'') of the alleged facts by the relator. Governments typically accept applications and commence litigation for ''ex rel.'' actions only if the interest advanced by the private party is similar to the interest of the government.

New York has a "forever wild" constitutional article,<ref>N.Y. Const. ART XIV, § 1. Found at [http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=**CNSA14S1+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=08222978+&TARGET=VIEW New York State Assembly website]. Retrieved February 23, 2012.</ref> which is enforceable by action of the New York State Attorney General or by any citizen ''ex rel.'' with the consent of the Appellate Division.<ref>N.Y. Const. ART XIV, § 5. Found at [http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=**CNSA14S5+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=08222978+&TARGET=VIEW New York State Assembly website]. Retrieved February 23, 2012.</ref>

The term can also be used when a relative or party in privity brings suit on another person's behalf. For example, the Terri Schiavo appeal to the United States Supreme Court was titled ''Schiavo '''ex rel.''' Schindler v. Schiavo''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search - Supreme Court of the United States |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docketfiles/04a825.htm |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=www.supremecourt.gov}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Latin legal terminology