Legal Definitions - Vidi scivi et audivi

Definition: Vidi scivi et audivi (vI-dIsI-vI et aw-dI-vI) means "I saw, knew, and heard." This phrase was commonly used by notaries in the past to claim that they were present when a legal document was signed or an event occurred, and therefore knew the facts to be true.

Example: A notary public includes the phrase "Vidi scivi et audivi" in a document that transfers ownership of a house from one person to another. This indicates that the notary was present when the seller signed the document, saw the buyer pay for the house, and heard them both agree to the terms of the sale.

Explanation: By including "Vidi scivi et audivi" in the document, the notary is claiming that they personally witnessed the events that took place and can attest to their accuracy. This phrase adds credibility to the document and helps to prevent disputes or challenges to its validity.