De facto

De facto (, day FAK-toh, dee -⁠, də -⁠; Latin: [deː ˈfaktoː] ; lit. 'from fact') practices are those that exist in reality or effect, without explicit recognition or recognition at all by laws or other formal norms. They contrast with de jure ('from law') practices. This distinction is important in law and governance. For example, a de facto government holds power without legal recognition, while a de jure government may have formal legal authority but lack any real power.