In law and government, de jure (/deɪ ˈdʒʊəri, di -, - ˈjʊər-/, Latin: [deː ˈjuːre]; lit. 'by law') describes practices that are legally recognized, regardless of whether the practice exists in reality.[1] In contrast, de facto ('in fact') describes situations that exist in reality, even if not formally recognized.[2]