''Pro tempore'' (), abbreviated ''pro tem'' or ''p.t.'', is a
Latin phrase
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This is a list of Wikipedia articles of Latin phrases and their translation into English.
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which best translates to "for the time being" in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a ''
locum tenens'' (placeholder) in the absence of a superior, such as the
president ''pro tempore'' of the United States Senate, who acts in place of the president of the United States Senate—a position that is held ''
ex officio'' by the current
vice president of the United States
The vice president of the United States (VPOTUS) is the second-highest officer in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, after the president of the United States, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice p ...
.
Legislative bodies can have one or more
''pro tempore'' for the presiding officer. These positions ostensibly go to legislators experienced in floor debate who are familiar with the content and application of relevant rules and precedents and who have a reputation for fairness among their colleagues.
Mayor pro tem
A common use of ''pro tempore'' in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
is in
municipal
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...
ities such as
cities and
town
A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world.
Origin and use
The word "town" shares an o ...
s with regard to the position of the
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...
. In many cities, the
city council
A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural coun ...
appoints one of its members to act as mayor ''pro tempore'' (''pro tem'') (or vice mayor) in the absence of the actual mayor.
Judge pro tem
In judicial
courts, attorneys that volunteer in proceedings are called "judge pro tem".
Dean pro tem
Universities
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United State ...
sometimes appoint heads of faculties temporarily until ratified by a board of governors or senate committee. These positions are titled "Dean pro tem".
See also
*''
Ex tempore''
References
Latin legal terminology
{{Latin-legal-phrase-stub