Ex rel, an abbreviation of the Latin "ex relatione" meaning "by the relation of," is a legal phrase most commonly used when a government brings a cause of action upon the request of a private party who has some interest in the matter. The private party is called the relator in such a case. Governments typically accept applications and commence litigation for ex rel actions only if the interest advanced by the private party is similar to the interest of the government. The term can also be used when a relative or party in privity brings suit on another person's behalf. For example, the Terry Shiavo appeal to the United States Supreme Court was titled Schiavo, Incapacitated, ex rel. Schindler v. Schiavo. Latin is the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... In the law, a cause of action is a recognized kind of legal claim that a plaintiff pleads or alleges in a complaint to start a lawsuit. ... The doctrine of Privity in English law provides that a contract cannot confer rights or impose obligations arising under it on any person or agent except the parties to it. ... The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States...