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Pendente lite

Latin for during (pending) litigation.

A court order may be made pendente lite, meaning it takes effect before or until the conclusion of the case. Such orders might involve making an award of maintenance in a divorce case, appointing an administrator for a disputed estate, or for the sale of a ship that is the subject of admiralty proceedings.

Not to be confused with “lis pendens” which is a case awaiting determination, or pending legal action.

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