Persona
Persona: Latin for "mask," the mask worn by actors in ancient theater. In Roman law and later legal writing, persona came to mean a person as the bearer of legal rights and duties, that is, a legal role, as distinct from the human being. The English word "person" comes from it.
What persona means
In short, persona is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where persona comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
To research persona, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Performance bond: a surety bond guaranteeing that a contractor will perform a contract according to its terms. On federal construction contracts above the threshold set by statute and regulation, the Miller Act requires a performance bond for the protection of the government (40 U.S.C. § 3131(b)(1)).
- Permissible: allowed or permitted, but not required.
- Person: in law, anyone or anything the law recognizes as able to hold rights and duties.
- Person entitled to enforce: under UCC § 3-301, the holder of an instrument, a nonholder in possession with the rights of a holder, or a person entitled to enforce a lost or similar instrument.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.