corpus
Corpus is a Latin word for "body," meaning a collection of specific material or text. Corpus can have several meanings:
- In the context of criminal law, it often refers to the legal requirement of physically bringing a prisoner (the body) to court for an opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention (habeas corpus).
- In the context of trust law, corpus means the collective property or premises of a trust for which the trustee is responsible.
[Last reviewed in May of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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