sponte

Sponte is a Latin adverb meaning voluntarily, of one’s own accord. In English, the term is used mainly in legal contexts to describe actions taken by a court, agency, or other decision-maker without a party’s request.

The most common compound form is sua sponte, literally “of its own accord,” used to indicate that a court has acted on its own initiative— for example, by dismissing a case or raising an issue without a motion from the parties.

By contrast, phrases such as suo motu (on its own motion) are used in some jurisdictions to express a similar idea, though usage and connotations can vary by legal system. In some contexts, suo motu is preferred to emphasize initiative by the authority rather than by a party.

Outside strictly legal language, sponte is less common, but the word retains its general sense of spontaneity or voluntary action. Etymology: sponte derives from Latin, meaning freely or willingly; sua sponte is a standard legal formula.