noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
in form; ceremonial; for form's sake; pro forma
Used to describe something done as a matter of form, procedure, or outward appearance, often implying that the substance or real intention may be lacking. Functions as a no-adjective modifying nouns.
The meeting was only pro forma.
He apologized pro forma, but his heart wasn't in it.
Compound of 形式 (form, formality) and the suffix 上 (じょう, 'from the standpoint of'). The combination yields the meaning 'in terms of form' or 'as a matter of form'.