De jure (in Classical Latin de iure) is an expression that means "of law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "in fact".
The terms de jure and de facto are used instead of "in principle" and "in practice", respectively, when one is describing political or legal situations.
In a legal context, de jure is also translated as "by law". A practice may exist de facto, where for example the people obey a contract as though there were a law enforcing it yet there is no such law. A process known as "desuetude" may allow de facto practices to replace obsolete laws. On the other hand, practices may exist de jure and not be obeyed or observed by the people.
Social sciences and other usages
As a logical complement of "de facto", where "de facto" has a more generic acceptance (not so restrictive as at legal context), like in social sciences. See de facto standards and other usages.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary definiton of de jure:
Function: adverb or adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin Date: 1611 1 : by right : of right 2 : based on laws or actions of the state <de jure segregation>
Answers.com: definiton of de jure:
adv. & adj. According to law; by right. [Latin dē iūre : dē, from + iūre, ablative of iūs, law.]
Business Dictionary definiton of De Jure:
By right; lawful; legitimate. Generally used in contrast to De Facto; de jure connotes ‘as a matter of law,' whereas de facto connotes ‘as a matter of practice not founded upon law.'
See also
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