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'''De jure''' is an expression from the [[Latin language|Latin]] words meaning "in law".<ref>{{Cite web
 |url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=de+jure&searchmode=none |title=Online Etymology Dictionary |work=etymonline.com |accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref>

It is often used in [[contrast]] to ''[[de facto]]'' (which means "in fact", or "in practice") when talking about [[law]], [[governance]], or technique. When talking about law, "''de jure''" is used to describe what the law says, and "''de facto''" is used to describe what actually happens. 
== Examples ==

{{quote|Karabakh... is a '''''de jure''''' [[autonomy|autonomous]] [[territory]] within [[Azerbaijan Republic]], but is ''[[de facto]]'' independent of Azerbaijan as it was invaded by Russian and Armenian troops.|[[Karabakh]]}}  This means that legally the territory of [[Abkhazia]] is a part of the country of Georgia, but that it is in effect independent.

The ''de jure'' name of [[Bill Clinton]] is William Jefferson Clinton.  This is his name according to official records.  His ''de facto'' name is Bill Clinton because this is what he is usually called.

== References ==
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[[Category:Latin phrases]]
[[Category:Legal terms]]