Seriatim: meaning and use in law and formal writing

Legal uses and examples

In judicial practice, "seriatim" can describe two related phenomena. First, a court may announce that it will address a list of questions in the same order they were raised, saying it will deal with them seriatim. Second, it can describe the older practice of "seriatim opinions," where individual judges each write separate opinions rather than producing a single majority opinion.

History and development

The word comes from classical Latin usage and entered English legal vocabulary through long-standing practice in common-law courts. Historically, many appellate panels and early supreme courts issued opinions seriatim, reflecting each judge's independent reasoning. Over time many jurisdictions shifted toward a single majority opinion to provide clearer precedent, but seriatim writing has not disappeared and still appears in some decisions.

Practical significance and distinctions

• Seriatim implies sequential treatment of distinct issues.
• Per curiam
• Multiple seriatim opinions can fragment legal doctrine because different judges may rely on different rationales.

Uses beyond the courtroom and guidance

Outside courts, lawyers and commentators use "seriatim" when responding to claims, listing replies, or drafting clauses that address items one by one. Because it is a Latinism, modern legal writing often favors clear English alternatives (for example, "in the following order," "each issue below," or "one by one") unless the traditional phrasing serves a concise technical purpose.

Notable facts

Although somewhat old-fashioned, the term remains part of legal vocabulary and appears in opinions, briefs, and formal letters. When you encounter it, read it as an instruction about order and method: matters will be taken in sequence rather than combined into a single, unified treatment.