IN RE
[Latin, In the matter of.] Concerning or regarding. The usual style for the name of a judicial proceeding having some item of property at the center of the dispute rather than adverse parties.
For example, proceedings to determine vari-
ous claims to the assets of a bankrupt company
could be called In re Klein Company, or In the
matter of Klein Company.
Sometimes in re is used for a proceeding
where one party makes an application to the
court without necessarily charging an adversary.
This may be done, for example, where a couple
seeks to adopt a child or an adult wants to
change his or her name.
Such actions may instead use the English
translation “in the matter of ” or the Latin words
ex parte. The final decision on the style to be
used for a particular lawsuit is usually made by
