term:

Inter Partes

inter partes adv or adj

[Latin]
: between the parties [a consent decree is not simply a contract inter partes, unlike a settlement]
;specif
: having or involving adverse parties [an issue of an invalid application may also arise in inter partes proceedings where an adversary raises the issue "In re Compagnie Generale Maritime, 993 F.2d 841 (1993) (dissent)"] compare ex parte

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.