A book, movie, television series, or other artistic creation is called sui generis when it does not fit into standard genre boundaries.
[5] In law, it is a term of art used to identify a legal classification that exists independently of other categorizations, either because of its singularity or due to the specific creation of an entitlement or obligation.
Sui generis statutes exist in many countries that extend intellectual property protection to matter that does not meet characteristic definitions.
The relevant legislation (in Australian law) contain sections called "Terms used" or "Definitions" that itemise all words deemed ambiguous and confers specific interpretations consistent with natural language.
Examples of sui generis uses include embassies, theatres, amusement arcades, laundrettes, taxi or vehicle hire businesses, petrol filling stations, scrapyards, nightclubs, motor car showrooms, retail warehouses, clubs and hostels.
When applied to international law, "sui generis" refers to situations which are distinct and thus not easily categorized under existing legal frameworks or conventions.
[14][15] In political philosophy, the unparalleled development of the European Union as compared with other international organizations has led to its designation as a sui generis geopolitical entity.
The legal nature of the EU is widely debated because its mixture of intergovernmental and supranational elements causes it to share characteristics with both confederal and federal entities.
Compared to other international organizations, the EU is often considered "sui generis" because its legal system comprehensively rejects any use of retaliatory sanctions by one member state against another.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has likewise been described as a "sui generis primary subject of public international law".
[21][22][23] In sociology, methodological holists argue that social phenomena exist in their own right (sui generis) and are not reducible to the actions of individuals.