Pœnitentia

Lat In the civil law. Repentance; reconsideration; changing one's mind; drawing back from an agreement already made, or rescinding it.

— Locus poenitentiae. Room or place for re-pentence or reconsideration ; an opportunity to withdraw from a negotiation before finally concluding the contract or agreement. Also, in criminal law, an opportunity afforded by the circumstances to a person who has formed an intention to kill or to commit another crime, giving him a chance to reconsider and relinquish his purpose.