Pro forma – this term comes from Latin. It means “as a matter of form”; in keeping with a form or practice. Something done pro forma may not be essential but it initiates future legal activities. For example, an invoice might be sent to a purchaser even before the goods are delivered as a matter of business practices. The term relates to “pro forma defendant”, used in the area of Civil Trials. There it details the figure of defendant who has no straight liability, but usually adjoins an interest with other defendants, participating in the lawsuit. For example – a co-owner of a property in dispute or a co-beneficiary in disputed personal will. In a situation where the defendant has died, their heirs if step in the lawsuit, will also be considered as “pro-forma defendants”.