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De facto (,, ) is a Latin expression that means " concerning fact.

" In law, it often means " in practice but not necessarily ordained by law " or " in practice or actuality, but not officially established.

" It is commonly used in contrast to de jure ( which means " concerning the law ") when referring to matters of law, governance, or technique ( such as standards ) that are found in the common experience as created or developed without or contrary to a regulation.

When discussing a legal situation, de jure designates what the law says, while de facto designates action of what happens in practice.

It is analogous and similar to the expressions " for all intents and purposes " or " in fact ".

The term can also be used in the context of conducting activity as a " matter of course " e. g. copying an individual on an email de facto.