"Nihil est" is a Latin term used in the legal field, which translates to "nothing exists" or "it is nothing." In the context of law, the term "nihil est" is commonly associated with a writ of execution.
When a judgment is issued in favor of a plaintiff, a writ of execution is a legal document that authorizes the enforcement of the judgment. It empowers a sheriff or other authorized officer to seize and sell the defendant's assets to satisfy the judgment debt.
If, during the execution process, the officer discovers that the defendant has no assets or property that can be seized to satisfy the judgment, they may file a return with the court stating "nihil est." This signifies that there are no assets available for execution, effectively indicating that the defendant does not possess sufficient property to cover the judgment debt.
In this context, "nihil est" is used to confirm that there is nothing available to be seized or executed upon to satisfy the judgment. It serves as a notification to the court that the enforcement efforts have been unsuccessful due to the defendant's lack of assets.
[Last updated in July of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]