IPSE. He, himself; the very man.

IPSO FACTO. By the fact itself.

2. This phrase is frequently employed to convey the idea that something which has been done contrary to law is void. For example, if a married man, during the life of his wife, of which he had knowledge, should marry another woman, the latter marriage would be void ipsofacto; that is, on that fact being proved, the second marriage would be declared void ab initio.

IPSO JURE. By the act of the law itself, or by mere¹ operation of law.

IRE AD LARGUM. To go at large; to escape, or be set at liberty. Vide Ad largum.

IRONY², rhetoric³. A term derived⁴ from the Greek, which signifies dissimulation⁵. It is a refined species of ridicule⁶, which, under the mask of honest simplicity⁷ or ignorance, exposes the faults and errors of others, by seeming to adopt or defend them.

2. In libels, irony may convey imputations more effectually than direct assertion, and render the publication libelous⁸. Hob. 215; Hawk⁹. B. 1, c. 73, s. 4; 3 Chit. Cr. Law, 869, Bac. Ab. Libel, A 3.

IRREGULAR. That which is done contrary to the common rules of law; as, irregular process, which is that issued contrary to law and the common practice of the court. Vide Regular and. Irregular Process.

IRREGULAR DEPOSIT. This name is given to that kind of deposit, where the thing deposited need not be returned; as, where a man deposits, in the usual way, money in bank for safe keeping, for in this case the title to the identical money becomes vested in the bank, and he receives in its place other money.

IRREGULARITY, practice. The doing or not doing that in the conduct of a suit at law, which, conformably with the practice of the court, ought or ought not to be done.

2. A party entitled to complain of irregularity, should except to it previously¹⁰ to taking any step by him in the cause; Lofft. 323, 333; because the taking of any such step is a waiver of any irregularity. 1 Bos. k Pbil. 342; 2 Smith's R. 391; 1 Taunt¹¹. R. 58; 2 Taunt. R. 243; 3 East, R. 547; 2 New R. 509; 2 Wils. R. 380.

3. The court will, on motion, set aside proceedings¹² for irregularity. On setting aside a judgment¹³ and execution for irregularity, they have power to impose terms on the defendant¹⁴, and will restrain him from bringing an action of trespass¹⁵, unless a strong case of damage appears. 1 Chit. R. 133, n.; and see Baldw. R. 246. Vide 3 Chit. Pr. 509; and Regular and Irregular Process.

4. In the canon law, this term is used to signify any impediment which prevents a man from taking holy orders.