Corpus Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Corpus.

Corpus (noun):

1. Latin term meaning 'body'. In the context of law, it usually refers to a substantial or primary part of something.
2. In trust law, corpus refers to the principal amount or initial assets set aside to generate income.
3. In estate law, the word corpus specifically denotes the total amount of property (assets) left by an individual at the time of their death.
4. Corpus Juris is a term used to define a 'body of law' or a comprehensive collection of laws, statutes, and legal principles in a specific jurisdiction.

Note: Although 'corpus' is a Latin term, in the legal world, it's used as an English noun.