de fac·to 1 /di-'fak-tō, dā-, dē-/ adv [Medieval Latin, literally, from the fact]: in reality: actually
these two constraints have been lifted, one de facto and one de jure — Susan Lee
de facto 2 adj
1: actual; esp: being such in effect though not formally recognized see also de facto segregation at segregation
2: exercising power as if legally constituted or authorized
a de facto government
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.