LATIN MAXIMS

A Actio non datur non damnificato - An action is not given to one who is not
injured.

A mensa et thoro - From bed and board.

Actio personalis moritur cum persona - A personal action dies with the
person.
A vinculo matrimonii - From the bond of matrimony.

Actiones legis - Law suits.

Ab extra - From outside.

Actori incumbit onus probandi - The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff.
Ab initio - From the beginning.

Actus nemini facit injuriam - The act of the law does no one wrong.
Absoluta sententia expositore non indiget - An absolute judgment needs no
expositor.
Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea - The act does not make one guilty
unless there be a criminal intent.
Abundans cautela non nocet - Abundant caution does no harm.

Actus reus - A guilty deed or act.

Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale - An accessory does not
draw, but follows its principal.
Ad ea quae frequentius acciduunt jura adaptantur - The laws are adapted to
those cases which occur more frequently.
Accessorius sequitur - One who is an accessory to the crime cannot be guilty
of a more serious crime than the principal offender.
Ad hoc - For this purpose.

Acta exteriora iudicant interiora secreta - Outward acts indicate the inward
intent. Ad infinitum - Forever, without limit, to infinity.

Actio non accrevit infra sex annos - The action has not accrued within six Ad perpetuam rei memoriam - For a perpetual memorial of the matter.
years.
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 Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est - An ambiguity is most strongly
Ad quaestionem facti non respondent judices; ad quaestionem legis non construed against the party using it.
respondent juratores - The judges do not answer to a question of fact; the
jury do not answer to a question of Law.
Ambiguitas verborum patens nulla verificatione excluditur - A patent
ambiguity is never helped by averment.
Aedificare in tuo proprio solo non licet quod alteri noceat - It is not lawful to
build on one's own land what may be injurious to another.
Amicus curiae - A friend of the Court.

Aequitas legem sequitur - Equity follows the law.

Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem - The laws of England are
favorable in every case to liberty.
Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem - Equity never contradicts the law.

Animo furandi - With an intention of stealing.

Alibi - At another place, elsewhere.

Animo testandi - With an intention of making a will.

Alienatio rei praefertur juri accrescendi - Alienation is preferred by law
rather than accumulation.
Annus luctus - The year of mourning.

Aliunde - From elsewhere, or, from a different source

Ante - Before.

Allegans contraria non est audiendus - One making contradictory

statements is not to be heard. Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere solebat - Water runs and ought to
run.

Allegans suam turpitudinem non est audiendus - One alleging his own
infamy is not to be heard. Arbitrium est judicium - An award is a judgment.

Allegatio contra factum non est admittenda - An allegation contrary to a Arbor dum crescit; lignum cum crescere nescit - A tree while it grows, wood
deed is not to be heard. when it cannot grow.

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Argumentum ab auctoritate fortissimum est in lege - An argument drawn
from authority is the strongest in law. Bis dat qui cito dat - He gives (pays) twice who pays promptly. 

Argumentum ab impossibilii plurimum valet in lege - An argument from Bona fide - Sincere, in good faith
impossibility is very strong in law.

Bona vacantia - Goods without an owner

Argumentum ad hominem - An argument directed a the person.

Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem - It is the part of a good judge to

Argumentum ad ignoratiam - An argument based upon ignorance (i.e. of enlarge his jurisdiction, i.e. remedial authority.
one's adversary).

Boni judicis est judicium sine dilatione mandare executioni - It is the duty of
Arma in armatos sumere jura sinunt - The laws permit the taking up of arms a good judge to cause execution to issue on a judgment without delay.
against the armed.

Boni judicis lites dirimere est - It is the duty of a good judge to prevent
Assentio mentium - The meeting of minds, i.e. mutual assent. litigation.

Assignatus utitur jure auctoris - An assignee is clothed with rights of his Bonus judex secundum aequum et bonum judicat et aequitatem stricto juri
assignor. praefert - A good judge decides according to justice and right and prefers
equity to strict law.

Audi alteram partem - Hear the other side.

Breve judiciale non cadit pro defectu formae - A judicial writing does not fail
through defect of form.
Aula regis - The King's Court.

C
B

Cadit quaestio - The matter admits of no further argument.

Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus seu dubiis est preferenda - The
more favorable construction is to be placed on general or doubtful words.
Cassetur billa (breve) - Let the writ be quashed.
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 Contemporanea expositio est optima et fortissima in lege - A
Casus fortuitus non est spectandus; et nemo tenetur divinare - A fortuitous contemporaneous exposition is best and most powerful in law.
event is not to be foreseen and no person is bound to divine it.

Contra - To the contrary.

Catalla reputantur inter minima in lege - Chattels are considered in law
among the minor things.
Contra bonos mores - Against good morals.

Causa proxima, non remota spectatur - The immediate, and not the remote
cause is to be considered. Contra non valentem agere nulla currit praescriptio - No prescription runs
against a person not able to act.

Caveat emptor - Let the purchaser beware.

Contractus est quasi actus contra actum - A contract is an act as it were
against an act.
Caveat venditor - Let the seller beware.

Conventio et modus vincunt legem - A contract and agreement overcome

Cepi corpus et est languidum - I have taken the body and the prisoner is the law.
sick.

Conventio privatorum non potest publico juri derogare - An agreement of

Cepi corpus et paratum habeo - I have taken the body and have it ready. private persons cannot derogate from public right.

Ceteris paribus - Other things being equal. Coram Domino Rege - In the presence of our Lord the King.

Consensu - Unanimously or, by general consent. Coram non judice - Before one who is not a judge.

Consensus ad idem - Agreement as to the same things. Corpus - Body.

Consuetudo loci observanda est - The custom of the place is to be observed. Corpus delicti - The body, i.e. the gist of crime.

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Corpus humanum non recipit aestimationem - A human body is not Damnum sine injuria - damage without legal injury.
susceptible of appraisement. 

De bonis asportatis - Of goods carried away.

Crescente malitia crescere debet et poena - Vice increasing, punishment
ought also to increase.
De bonis non administratis - Of goods not administered.

Crimen omnia ex se nata vitiat - Crime vitiates every thing, which springs
from it. De die in diem - From day to day.

Crimen trahit personam - The crime carries the person. De facto - In fact.

Cujus est dare, ejus est disponere - He who has a right to give has the right De futuro - In the future.
to dispose of the gift.

De integro - As regards the whole.

Cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad coelam; et ad inferos - He who owns the
soil owns it up to the sky; and to its depth.
De jure - Rightful, by right.

Cum duo inter se pugnantia reperiuntur in testamentis ultimum ratum est -

When two things repugnant to each other are found in a will, the last is to De minimis lex non curat - The law does not notice trifling matters.
be confirmed.

De novo - Starting afresh.

Cursus curiae est lex curiae - The practice of the court is the law of the
court.
Debile fundamentum fallit opus - Where there is a weak foundation, the
work fails.
Custos morum - A guardian of morals.

Debita sequuntur personam debitoria - Debts follow the person of the

D debtor.

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 refuge.
Debitor non praesumitur donare - A debtor is not presumed to make a gift.

Dona clandestina sunt semper suspiciosa - Clandestine gifts are always

Debitum et contractus sunt nullius loci - Debt and contract are of no suspicious.
particular place.

Dormiunt leges aliquando, nunquam moriuntur - The laws sometimes sleep,

Debitum in praesenti, solvendum in futuro - A present debt is to be but never die.
discharged in the future.

Doti lex favet; praemium pudoris est; ideo parcatur - The law favors dower;
Delegata potestas non potest delegari - A delegated authority cannot be it is the reward of chastity, therefore let it be preserved.
again delegated.

Dubitante - Doubting the correctness of the decision.

Derivativa potestas non potest esse major primitiva - The power which is
derived cannot be greater than that from which it is derived.
Duo non possunt in solido unam rem possidere - Two cannot possess one
thing each in entirety.
Deus solus haeredem facere potest, non homo - God alone, not man, can
make an heir.
E

Dies Dominicus non est juridicus - Sunday is not a day in law.

Ei incumbit probatio qui - The onus of proving a fact rests upon the man.

Discretio est discernere per legem quid sit justum - Discretion is to discern
through law what is just. Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat - The burden of the proof lies
upon him who affirms, not he who denies.

Doli incapax - Incapable of crime.

Error, qui non resistitur approbatur - An error not resisted is approved.

Dominium - Ownership.
Et cetera - Other things of that type.

Domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium - Every man s house is his safest
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Ex cathedra - With official authority. Executio est executio juris secundum judicium - Execution is the fulfillment
of the law in accordance with the judgment.

Ex concessis - In view of what has already been accepted/

Executio est finis et fructus legis - An execution is the end and the fruit of
the law.
Ex dolo malo actio non oritur - A right of action cannot arise out of fraud.

Executio legis non habet injuriam - Execution of the law does no injury.
Ex facie - On the fact of it.

Extra legem positus est civiliter mortuus - One out of the pale of the law (i.e.
Ex gratia - Out of kindness, voluntary. an outlaw) is civilly dead.

Ex nihilo nil fit - From nothing nothing comes. F

Ex nudo pacto actio non oritur - No action arises on a contract without a Faciendum - Something which is to be done.
consideration.

Factum - An act or deed.

Ex parte - Proceeding brought by one person in the absence of another.

Facultas probationum non est angustanda - The right of offering proof is not
Ex post facto - By reason of a subsequent act. to be narrowed.

Ex praecedentibus et consequentibus optima fit interpretatio - The best Falsa demonstratio non nocet - A false description does not vitiate.
interpretation is made from things preceding and following.

Fatetur facinus qui judicium fugit - He who flees judgment confesses his
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio - No action arises on an immoral contract. guilt.

Exceptio probat regulam - An exception proves the rule. Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas - Happy is he who has been able to
understand the causes of things.

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 Fraus est odiosa et non praesumenda - Fraud is odious and is not to be
Felonia implicatur in qualibet proditione - Felony is implied in every treason. presumed.

Festinatio justitiae est noverca infortunii - The hurrying of justice is the Fraus et jus nunquam cohabitant - Fraud and justice never dwell together.
stepmother of misfortune.

Fructus naturales - Vegetation which grows naturally without cultivation.

Fictio cedit veritati; fictio juris non est, ubi veritas - Fiction yields to truth.
Where truth is, fiction of law does not exist.
Frustra probatur quod probatum non relevat - That is proved in vain which
when proved is not relevant.
Fides servanda est - Good faith is to be preserved.

Furor contrahi matrimonium non sinit, quia consensus opus est - Insanity
Fieri facias (abreviated fi. fa.) - That you cause to be made. prevents marriage from being contracted because consent is needed.

Filiatio non potest probari - Filiation cannot be proved. G

Firmior et potentior est operatio legis quam dispositio hominis - The Generale nihil certum implicat - A general expression implies nothing
operation of law is firmer and more powerful than the will of man. certain.

Forma legalis forma essentialis est - Legal form is essential form. Generalia praecedunt, specialia sequuntur - Things general precede, things
special follow.

Fortior est custodia legis quam hominis - The custody of the law is stronger
than that of man. Generalia specialibus non derogant - Things general do not derogate from
things special.

Fractionem diei non recipit lex - The law does not regard a fraction of a day.
Generalis regula generaliter est intelligenda - A general rule is to be
generally understood.
Fraus est celare fraudem - It is a fraud to conceal a fraud.

Gravius est divinam quam temporalem laedere majestatem - It is more

8
serious to hurt divine than temporal majesty. Idem - The same person or thing.

H Idem nihil dicere et insufficienter dicere est - It is the same to say nothing as
not to say enough.

Habeas corpus - That you have the body.

Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat - Ignorance of fact
excuses, ignorance of law does not excuse.
Habemus optimum testem confitentem reum - We have the best witness, a
confessing defendant.
Imperium in imperio - A sovereignty within a sovereignty.

Haeredem est nomen collectum - Heir is a collective name.

Impotentia excusat legem - Impossibility is an excuse in the law.

Haeres est nomen juris, filius est nomen naturae - Heir is a term of law, son,
one of nature. Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat - Impunity always leads to greater
crimes.

Haeres legitimus est quem nuptiae demonstrant - He is the lawful heir

whom the marriage indicates. In aequali jure melior est conditio possidentis - When the parties have equal
rights, the condition of the possessor is better.

Homo vocabulum est naturae; persona juris civilis - Man is a term of nature,
person of the civil law. In alta proditione nullus potest esse acessorius; sed principalis solum modo -
In high treason no one can be an accessory; but a principal only.

I
In Anglia non est interregnum - In England there is no interregnum.

Id est (i.e) - That is.

In camera - In private.

Id quod commune est, nostrum esse dicitur - That which is common is said
to be ours. In casu extremae necessitatis omnia sunt communia - In a case of extreme
necessity everything is common. 

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In criminalibus probationes debent esse luce clariores - In criminal cases the
proofs ought to be cleared than the light. In novo casu novum remedium apponendum est - In a new case a new
remedy is to be applied.

In curia domini regis, ipse in propria persona jura discernit - In the King s
Court, the King himself in his own person dispenses justice. In omni re nascitur res quae ipsam rem exterminat - In everything is born
that which destroys the thing itself.

In delicto - At fault.
In omnibus - In every respect.

In esse - In existence.
In pari delicto potior est conditio possidentis - When the parties are equally
in the wrong the condition of the possessor is better.
In extenso - At full length.

In personam - Against the person.

In fictione legis aequitas existit - A legal fiction is consistent with equity.

In pleno - In full.
In foro conscientiae - In the forum of conscience.

In quo quis delinquit in eo de jure est puniendus - In whatever thing one

In futoro - In the future. offends in that he is to be punished according to law.

In jure non remota causa sed proxima spectatur - In law not the remote but In re dubia magis inficiatio quam affirmatio intelligenda - In a doubtful
the proximate cause is looked at. matter the negative is to be understood rather than the affirmative.

In limine - At the outset, on the threshold. In republica maxime conservanda sunt jura belli - In a State the laws of war
are to be especially observed.

In loco parentis - In place of the parent.

In situ - In its place.

In mortua manu - In a dead hand.

10
In terrorem - As a warning or deterrent. State that every one use properly his own property.

In testamentis plenius testatoris intentionem scrutamur - In wills we seek Interest reipublicase ut sit finis litium - It is in the interest of the State that
diligently the intention of the testator. there be an end to litigation.

In traditionibus scriptorum non quod dictum est, sed quod gestum est, Interim - Temporary, in the meanwhile.
inspicitur - In the delivery of writings (deeds), not what is said but what is
done is to be considered.
Interpretare et concordare leges legibus est optimus interpretandi modus -
To interpret and harmonize laws is the best method of interpretation.
In verbis, non verba sed res et ratio quaerenda est - In words, not words,
but the thing and the meaning are to be inquired into.
Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat quam pereat - Such a
construction is to be made that the thing may have effect rather than it
Indicia - Marks, signs. should fail.

Injuria non excusat injuriam - A wrong does not excuse a wrong. Interruptio multiplex non tollit praescriptionem semel obtentam - Repeated
interruption does not defeat a prescription once obtained.

Intentio inservire debet legibus, non leges intentioni - Intention ought to be

subservient to the laws, not the laws to the intention. Invito beneficium non datur - A benefit is not conferred upon one against his
consent.

Inter alia - Amongst other things.

Ipsissima verba - The very words of a speaker.

Interest reipublicae res judicatas non rescindi - It is in the interest of the

State that things adjudged be not rescinded. Ipso facto - By that very fact.

Interest reipublicae suprema hominum testamenta rata haberi - It is in the Ira furor brevis est - Anger is brief insanity.
interest of the State that men s last wills be sustained.

Iter arma leges silent - In war the laws are silent.

Interest reipublicae ut quilibet re sua bene utatur - It is in the interest of the
11
 Jura publica anteferenda privatis juribus - Public rights are to be preferred
J to private rights.

Judex est lex loquens - A judge is the law speaking. Juramentum est indivisibile et non est admittendum in parte verum et in
parte falsum - An oath is indivisible and it is not to be held partly true and
partly false.
Judex non potest esse testis in propira causa - A judge cannot be witness in
his own cause.
Jurare est Deum in testem vocare, et est actus divini cultus - To swear is to
call God to witness and is an act of divine worship.
Judex non potest injuriam sibi datam punire - A judge cannon punish a
wrong done to himself.
Jus - A right that is recognised in law.

Judex non reddit plus quam quod petens ipse requirit - A judge does not
give more than the plaintiff himself demands. Jus accrescendi praefertur oneribus - The right of survivorship is preferred
to incumbrances.

Judiciis posterioribus fides est adhibenda - Faith must be given to later

decisions. Jus ad rem; jus in re - A right to a thing; a right in a thing.

Judicis est judicare secundum allegata et probata - It is the duty of a judge Jus dicere, non jus dare - To declare the law, not to make the law.
to decide according to the allegations and the proofs.

Jus est norma recti; et quicquid est contra normam recti est injuria - The law
Judicium non debet esse illusorium, suum effectum habere debet - A is a rule of right; and whatever is contrary to a rule of right is an injury.
judgment ought not to be illusory; it ought to have its proper effect.

Jus naturale - Natural justice.

Juduces non tenentur exprimere causam sententiae suae - Judges are not
bound to explain the reason of their judgment.
Jus naturale est quod apud omnes homines eandem habet potentiam -
Natural right is that which has the same force among all men.
Jura naturae sunt immutabilia - The laws of nature are immutable.

Jus scriptum aut non scriptum - The written law or the unwritten law.
12
Jusjurandum inter alios factum nec nocere nec prodesse debet - An oath Lex est judicum tutissimus ductor - The law is the safest guide for judges.
made between third parties ought neither to hurt nor profit.

Lex est sanctio sancta jubens honesta et prohibens contraria - The law is a
Justitia est duplec; severe puniens et vere praeveniens - Justice is two-fold; sacred sanction, commanding what is right and prohibiting the contrary.
severely punishing and in reality prohibiting (offences).

Lex indendit vicinum vicini facta scire - The law presumes that one neighbor
Justitia firmatur solium - The throne is established by justice. knows the acts of another.

Justitia nemini neganda est - Justice is to be denied to no one. Lex necessitatis est lex temporis i.e. instantis - The law of necessity is the
law of time, that is time present.

L
Lex neminem cogit ad vana seu impossiblia - The law compels no one to do
vain or impossible things.
Leges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant - Subsequent laws repeal prior
conflicting ones.
Lex nil frustra facit - The law does nothing in vain.

Legibus sumptis desinentibus legibus naturae utendum est - When laws

imposed by the State fail, we must use the laws of nature. Lex non a rege est violanda - The law must not be violated even by the King.

Lex aliquando sequitur aequitatem - The law sometimes follows equity. Lex non deficere potest in justitia exhibenda - The law cannot fail in
dispensing justice.

Lex citius tolerare vult privatum damnum quam publicum malum - The law
would rather tolerate a private injury than a public evil. Lex non novit patrem, nec matrem; solam veritatem - The law does not
know neither father nor mother, only the truth.

Lex dabit remedium - The law will give a remedy.

Lex non oritur ex injuria - The law does not arise from a mere injury.

Lex dilationes abhorret - The law abhors delays.

13
Lex non requirit verificari quod apparet curiae - The law does not require Longa possessio parit jus possidendi et tollit actionem vero domino - Long
that to be proved which is apparent to the Court. possession produces the right of possession and takes away from the true
owner his action.

Lex non favet delicatorum votis - The law does not favor the wishes of the
dainty. M

Lex plus laudatur quando ratione probatur - The law is the more praised Magister rerum usus; magistra rerum experientia - Use is the master of
when it is supported by reason. things; experience is the mistress of things.

Lex prospicit not respicit - The law looks forwared, not backward. Major continet in se minus - The greater contains the less.

Lex punit mendaciam - The law punishes falsehood. Majus est delictum se ipsum occidere quam alium - It is a greater crime to
kill one s self than another.

Lex rejicit superflua, pugnatia, incongrua - The law rejects superfluous,

contradictory and incongruous things. Mala fide - In bad faith.

Lex spectat naturae ordinem - The law regards the order of nature. Mala grammatica non vitiat chartam - Bad grammar does not vitiate a deed.

Lex succurrit ignoranti - The law succors the ignorant. Mala in se - Bad in themselves.

Lex tutissima cassis, sub clypeo legis nemo decipitur - Law is the safest Mala prohibita - Crimes prohibited.
helmet; under the shield of the law no one is deceived.

Malitia supplet aesatem - Malice supplies age.

Lex uno ore omnes alloquitur - The law speaks to all through one mouth.

Malo animo - With evil intent.

Longa possessio est pacis jus - Long possession is the law of peace.

Mandamus - We command.
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 Muilta exercitatione facilius quam regulis percipies - You will perceive many
Maximus magister erroris populus est - The people are the greatest master things more easily by experience than by rules.
of error.

N
Melior est conditio possidentis, ubi neuter jus habet - Better is the condition
of the possessor where neither of the two has the right.
Nam nemo haeres viventis - For no one is an heir of a living person.

Melior testatoris in testamentis spectanda est - In wills the intention of a

testator is to be regarded. Naturae vis maxima est - The force of nature is the greatest.

Meliorem conditionem suam facere potest minor deteriorem nequaquam - Necessitas inducit privilegium quoad jura privata - With respect to private
A minor can make his position better, never worse. rights necessity induces privilege.

Mens rea - Guilty state of mind. Necessitas non habet legem - Necessity has no law.

Mentiri est contra mentem ire - To lie is to act against the mind. Necessitas publica est major quam privata - Public necessity is greater than
private necessity.

Merito beneficium legis amittit, qui legem ipsam subvertere intendit - He

justly loses the benefit of the law who seeks to infringe the law. Negligentia semper habet infortuniam comitem - Negligence always has
misfortune for a companion.

Minatur innocentibus qui parcit nocentibus - He threatens the innocent who

spares the guilty. Nemo admittendus est inhabilitare se ipsum - No one is allowed to
incapacitate himself.

Misera est servitus, ubi jus est vagum aut incertum - It is a miserable slavery
where the law is vague or uncertain. Nemo bis punitur pro eodem delicto - No one can be twice punished for the
same offence.

Mors dicitur ultimum supplicium - Death is called the extreme penalty.

Nemo cogitur suam rem vendere, etiam justo pretio - No one is bound to
15
sell his own property, even for a just price.

Nemo punitur pro alieno delicto - No one is punished for the crime of
Nemo contra factum suum venire potest - No man can contradict his own another.
deed.

Nemo se accusare debet, nisi coram Deo - No one should accuse himself
Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa - No one can be judge in his own except in the presence of God.
case.

Nemo tenetur accusare se ipsum nisi coram Deo - No one is bound to accuse
Nemo plus juris transferre ad alium potest quam ipse habet - No one can himself except in the presence of God.
transfer to another a larger right than he himself has.

Nemo tenetur armare adversarium contra se - No one is bound to arm his

Nemo potest contra recordum verificare per patriam - No one can verify by adversary against himself.
the country, that is, through a jury, against the record.

Nexus - Connection
Nemo potest esse tenens et dominus - No one can at the same time be a
tenant and a landlord (of the same tenement).
Nihil quod est inconveniens est licitum - Nothing inconvenient is lawful.

Nemo potest facere per alium, quod per se non potest - No one can do
through another what he cannot do himself. Nil facit error nominis cum de corpore constat - An error of name makes not
difference when it appears from the body of the instrument.

Nemo potest mutare consilium suum in alterius injuriam - No one can

change his purpose to the injury of another. Nisi - Unless

Nemo praesumitur esse immemor suae aeternae salutis et maxime in Non compus mentis - Not of sound mind and understanding
articulo mortis - No one is presumed to be forgetful of his eternal welfare,
and particularly in the hour of death.
Non constat - It is not certain

Nemo prohibetur pluribus defensionibus uti - No one is forbidden to make

use of several defences. Non decipitur qui scit se decipi - He is not deceived who knows that he is
16
deceived.

Non definitur in jure quid sit conatus - What an attempt is, is not defined in
law. O

Non est arctius vinculum inter homines quam jusjurandum - There is no Omne sacramentum debet esse de certa scientia - Every oath ought to be of
stronger link among men than an oath. certain knowledge.

Non est factum - It is not his deed Omnia delicta in aperto leviora sunt - All crimes (committed) in the open are
(considered) lighter.

Non est informatus - He is not informed.

Omnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem - All things are presumed against a
wrongdoer.
Non facias malum ut inde veniat bonum - You shall not do evil that good
may come of it.
Omnis innovatio plus novitate perturbat quam utilitate prodeat - Every
innovation disturbs more by its novelty than it benefits by its utility.
Non jus, sed seisina, facit stipitem - Not right, but seisin makes a stock (from
which the inheritance must descend).
Optima legum interpres est consuetudo - The best interpreter of laws is
custom.
Non refert quid notum sit judici si notum non sit in forma judicii - It matters
not what is known to the judge if it is not known judicially.
Optimus interpres rerum est usus - The best interpreter of things is usage.

Non sequitur - An inconsistent statement, it does not follow

P

Nullus commodum capere potest ex sua injuria propria - No one can derive
an advantage from his own wrong. Pacta privata juri publico non derogare possunt - Private contracts cannot
derogate from public law.

Nullus recedat e curia cancellaria sine remedio - No one should depart from
a Court of Chancery without a remedy. Par delictum - Equal fault.
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Pari passu - On an equal footing. Pro rata - In proportion.

Partus sequitur ventrem - The offspring follows the mother. Pro tanto - So far, to that extent.

Pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant - The father is he whom the marriage Pro tempore - For the time being.
points out.

Publici juris - Of public right.

Peccata contra naturam sunt gravissima - Wrongs against nature are the
most serious.

Pendente lite nihil innovetur - During litigation nothing should be changed. Q

Per curiam - In the opinion of the court. Quaeitur - The question is raised.

Per minas - By means of menaces or threats. Quantum - How much, an amount.

Per quod - By reason of which. Qui facit per alium, facit per se - He who acts through another acts himself.

Post mortem - After death. Qui haeret in litera, haeret in cortice - He who stices to the letter, sticks to
the bark.

Prima facie - On the face of it.

Qui in utero est, pro jam nato habetur, quoties de ejus commodo quaeritur -
He who is in the womb is considered as already born as far as his benefit is
Prima impressionis - On first impression. considered.

Pro hac vice - For this occasion. Qui non habet potestatem alienandi, habet necessitatem retinendi - He who
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has not the power of alienating is under the necessity of retaining.
Quidcquid plantatur solo, solo cedit - Whatever is planted in or affixed to
the soil, belongs to the soil.
Qui non habet, ille non dat - He who has not, does not give.

Quod ab initio non valet, in tractu temporis non convalescit - What is not
Qui non improbat, approbat - He who does not disapprove, approves. valid in the beginning does not become valid by time.

Qui non obstat quod obstare potest facere videtur - He who does not Quod constat curiae opere testium non indiget - What appears to the Court
prevent what he is able to prevent, is considered as committing the thing. needs not the help of witnesses.

Qui non prohibet quod prohibere potest assentire videtur - He who does not Quod necessarie intelligitur, id non deest - What is necessarily understood is
prohibit when he is able to prohibit, is in fault. not wanting.

Qui peccat ebrius, luat sobrius - He who does wrong when drunk must be Quod necessitas cogit, defendit - What necessity forces it justifies.
punished when sober.

Quod non apparet, non est - What does not appear, is not.
Qui potest et debet vetare et non vetat jubet - He who is able and ought to
forbit and does not, commands.
Quod non habet principium non habet finem - What has no beginning has
no end.
Qui prior est tempore potior est jure - He who is prior in time is stronger in
right.
Quod per me non possum, nec per alium - What I cannot do through myself,
I cannot do through another.
Qui sentit commodum, debet et sentire onus - He who derives a benefit
ought also to bear a burden.
Quod prius est verius est; et quod prius est tempore potius est jure - What is
first is more true; and what is prior in time is stronger in law.
Qui tacet consentire videtur - He who is silent appears to consent.

Quod vanum et inutile est, lex non requirit - The law does not require what
Quid pro quo - Consideration. something for something. is vain and useless.

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Quoties in verbis nulla est ambiguitas, ibi nulla expositio contra verba Respondeat superior - Let the principal answer.
expressa fienda est - When there is no ambiguity in words, then no
exposition contrary to the expressed words is to be made.
Rex est major singulis, minor universis - The King is greater than individuals,
less than all the people.
R

Rex non debet judicare sed secundum legem - The King ought not to judge
Ratio est legis anima, mutata legis ratione mutatur et lex - Reason is the soul but according to the law.
of the law; when the reason of the law changes the law also is changed.

Rex non potest peccare - The King can do no wrong.

Re - In the matter of.

Rex nunquma moritur - The King never dies.

Reprobata pecunia leberat solventem - Money refused releases the debtor.

Rex quod injustum est facere non potest - The King cannot do what is
Res - Matter, affair, thing, circumstance. unjust.

Res gestae - Things done. S

Res integra - A matter untouched (by decision). Salus populi est suprema lex - The safety of the people is the supreme law.

Res inter alios acta alteri nocere non debet - Things done between strangers Sciens - Knowingly.
ought not to affect a third person, who is a stranger to the transaction.

Scienter - Knowingly.
Res judicata accipitur pro veritate - A thing adjudged is accepted for the
truth.
Scire facias - That you cause to know.

Res nulis - Nobody s property.

Scribere est agere - To write is to act.
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 Sub modo - Within limits.

Se defendendo - In self defence.

Sub nomine - Under the name of.

Secus - The legal position is different, it is otherwise.

Sub silentio - In silence.

Semper praesumitur pro legitimatione puerorum - Everything is presumed

in favor of the legitimacy of children. Sublata causa, tollitur effectus - The cause being removed, the effect ceases.

Semper pro matriomonio praesumitur - It is always presumed in favor of Sublato fundamento, cadit opus - The foundation being removed, the
marriage. structure falls.

Sententia interlocutoria revocari potest, definitiva non potest - An Subsequens matrimonium tollit peccatum praecedens - A subsequent
interlocutory order can be revoked, a final order cannot be. marriage removes the preceding wrong.

Servitia personalia sequuntur personam - Personal services follow the Suggestio falsi - The suggestion of something which is untrue.
person.

Sui generis - Unique.

Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas - So use your own as not to injure
another s property.
Summa ratio est quae pro religione facit - The highest reason is that which
makes for religion, i.e. religion dictates.
Simplex commendatio non obligat - A simple recommendation does not
bind.
Suppressio veri - The suppression of the truth.

Stare decisis - To stand by decisions (precedents).

Suppressio veri expressio falsi - A suppression of truth is equivalent to an
expression of falsehood.
Stet - Do not delete, let it stand.

T
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 suam - The last will of a testator is to be fulfilled according to his true
intentio.
Talis qualis - Such as it is.

Ut poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes, perveniat - That punishment may

Terra firma - Solid ground. come to a few, the fear of it should affect all.

Testamenta latissimam interpretationem habere debent - Testaments ought Utile per inutile non vitiatur - What is useful is not vitiated by the useless.
to have the broadest interpretation.

V
Traditio loqui chartam facit - Delivery makes a deed speak.

Verba chartarum fortius accipiuntur contra preferentem - The words of

Transit terra cum onere - The land passes with its burden. deeds are accepted more strongly against the person offering them.

U Verba debent intelligi cum effectu - Words ought to be understood with

effect.

Ubi eadem ratio ibi idem jus, et de similibus idem est judicium - When there
is the same reason, then the law is the same, and the same judgment should Verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire - Words ought to serve the
be rendered as to similar things. intention, not the reverse.

Ubi jus ibi remedium est - Where there is a right there is a remedy. Verbatim - Word by word, exactly.

Ubi non est principalis, non potest esse accessorius - Where there is no Vi et armis - With the force and arms.
principal, there can be no accessory.

Via antiqua via est tuta - The old way is the safe way.
Ubi nullum matrimonium, ibi nulla dos es - Where there is no marriage,
there is no dower.
Vice versa - The other way around.

Ultima voluntas testatoris est perimplenda secundum veram intentionem

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Vide - See.

Vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt - The laws serve the vigilant,
not those who sleep.

Vir et uxor consentur in lege una persona - A husband and wife are regarded
in law as one person.

Visitationem commendamus - We recommend a visitation.

Volens - Willing.

Volenti non fit injuria - An injury is not done to one consenting to it.

Voluntas in delictis non exitus spectatur - In offences the intent and not the
result is looked at.

Voluntas reputatur pro facto - The will is taken for the deed.

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