The term describes an action taken by a court without any party requesting that action. It signifies an initiative originating from the court’s own volition or impulse. For example, a judge may, without a motion from either the plaintiff or the defendant, dismiss a case due to lack of jurisdiction. This action is initiated by the court’s assessment of its own authority to hear the matter.
This inherent authority allows courts to manage their dockets efficiently and ensure fairness and justice are upheld, even if the involved parties do not explicitly request intervention. Its presence within the judicial system reflects the proactive role courts can take in ensuring legal processes adhere to established principles and standards. Historically, this power has been essential to address procedural deficiencies or legal errors that might otherwise go uncorrected.
