Pro Tanto

[Latin, For so much; for as much as one is able; as far as it can go.] A term that refers to a partial payment made on a claim.

In an EMINENT DOMAIN case, pro tanto describes the partial payment made by the government for the taking of land. This payment is given WITHOUT PREJUDICE, and the petitioner can maintain an action for the full amount of the land.

A pro tanto defense is a defendant's counter-claim against the plaintiff for one-half the requested damages.