Ex Facto

Definition and Citations:

From or in consequence of a fact or action; actually. Usually applied toan unlawful or tortious act as the foundation of a title, etc. Sometimes used as equivalentto “de facto.” Bract, fol. 172.Ex facto jus oritur. The law arises out of the fact. Broom, Max. 102. A rule of lawcontinues in abstraction and theory, until an act is done on which it can attach andassume as it were a body and shape. Best, Ev. Introd.