Latin for "by law" — something that is officially or legally recognised, whether or not it matches reality.
What it means
De jure means "by law" or "by right". It refers to what is legally recognised and official, in contrast to de facto, which is what actually happens in practice.
The two often differ: a person may be the de jure owner of property on the title, while someone else exercises de facto control over it. In Australian usage, de jure stresses the formal legal position rather than the practical reality.
How it's used
Although his brother managed the farm day to day, the father remained the de jure owner named on the title.
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