Idem Sonans - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition idem-sonans

Definition :

Idem sonans (sounding alike). A wrong or unsuit-able name. The courts will not set aside proceed-ings on account of the mispronunciation or mistake of names sounding alike, unless substantial in-justice has been done. See Reg. v. Mellor, (1858) 27 LJQB 121, where on a trial for murder it was discovered after conviction that Joseph Henry Thorne and William Thorniley, having both been on the panel, William Thorniley had by mistake answered to the name of Joseph Henry Thorne, and been sworn. Seven judges to six held that the conviction ought not to be set aside, two of them only on the ground of want of jurisdiction in the Court for Crown Cases Reserved (see CROWN CASES RESERVED); and see also Wells v. Cooper, (1874) 30 LT 721, where in an action of trespass Thomas Cox, a special juror, served by mistake for Thomas Fox on a common jury. And see MISNOMER.