Semble
Encyclopedia
Semble is an Old French
word and may be translated as "It seems or appears to be" or, more simply, "it seems".
and indicates that the point to which it refers is undecided or doubtful. In a law report, the expression precedes a proposition of law which is an obiter dictum by the judge, or a suggestion by the reporter.
For example, in the All England Law Reports
headnote
for Hedley Byrne v Heller & Partners [1963] 2 All ER 575 (HL) the reporter (at 576 E-F) uses the expression when summarising certain remarks of Lords Reid, Morris, and Hodson on a point which did not arise for decision in the case; semble indicates that this may be the law but it falls to a future case to decide authoritatively.
Old French
Old French was the Romance dialect continuum spoken in territories that span roughly the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium and Switzerland from the 9th century to the 14th century...
word and may be translated as "It seems or appears to be" or, more simply, "it seems".
Law
The expression is used in lawCommon law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
and indicates that the point to which it refers is undecided or doubtful. In a law report, the expression precedes a proposition of law which is an obiter dictum by the judge, or a suggestion by the reporter.
For example, in the All England Law Reports
All England Law Reports
The All England Law Reports are a long-running series of law reports covering cases from the court system in England and Wales....
headnote
Headnote
A headnote is a brief summary of a particular point of law that is added to the text of a court decision to aid readers in locating discussion of a legal issue in an opinion...
for Hedley Byrne v Heller & Partners [1963] 2 All ER 575 (HL) the reporter (at 576 E-F) uses the expression when summarising certain remarks of Lords Reid, Morris, and Hodson on a point which did not arise for decision in the case; semble indicates that this may be the law but it falls to a future case to decide authoritatively.