Legal Speak Made Easy

“Bona fide”

An important and commonly encountered legal concept, the Latin phrase “bona fide” translates to “in good faith”, implying an absence of fraud or deceit. Its opposite is “mala fide” or “in bad faith”. A fundamental concept in law since ancient Roman times, it’s still used in legal systems around the world two millennia later!  

In South Africa it remains ubiquitous in our court decisions and legislation. Whether or not something is found to be “bona fide” can often make or break the outcome of litigation.