LEGAL MAXIMS
1. "Delegatus non potest delegare": "A delegate cannot delegate." This means that
someone who has been given a task or responsibility cannot pass it on to someone else.
2. "Donatio mortis causa": "A gift given in anticipation of death." It refers to a gift given
by someone who expects to die soon, which becomes effective only upon their death.
3. "Dubia in meliorem partem interpretari debent": "Doubts should be interpreted in
favor of the better side." This suggests that when interpreting unclear or ambiguous
situations, the interpretation that leads to a more favorable outcome should be preferred.
4. "Ex injuria jus non oritur": "A right does not arise from a wrong." This means that one
cannot claim a legal right based on an unlawful or wrongful act.
5. "Fiat justitia ruat caelum": "Let justice be done though the heavens fall." This
emphasizes the importance of justice, even if it leads to significant consequences.
6. "Ignorantia juris non excusat": "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." This means that
not knowing the law is not a valid defense for breaking it.
7. "Lex retro non agit": "The law does not act retroactively." This implies that the law
applies to events that occur after its enactment, not to past events.
8. "Mutatis mutandis": "With necessary changes made." This phrase is used to indicate
that certain details or circumstances have been altered but the essential meaning remains
the same.
9. "Nemo auditor propriam turpitudinem allegans": "No one can be heard who invokes
their own disgrace." This suggests that people are not likely to be believed or given a fair
hearing if they try to excuse their own wrongdoing.
10. "Res ipsa loquitur": "The thing speaks for itself." This means that sometimes the facts
of a situation are so clear that no further explanation is needed.
11. "Salus populi suprema lex esto": "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law."
This suggests that the well-being of the community should be the highest priority.
12. "Vigilantibus non dormientibus aequitas subvenit": "Equity aids the vigilant, not the
sleeping." It means that fairness helps those who are attentive and proactive, not those
who are careless or negligent.
13. "Actus non facitreum nisi mens sit rea": "An act does not make a person guilty unless
the mind is guilty." This implies that someone can only be held responsible for their
actions if they intended to do wrong.
14. "Actio personalis moritur cum persona": "A personal action dies with the person."
This means that legal actions related to an individual's personal rights or obligations
typically end upon their death.
15. "Consensus ad idem": "Agreement to the same thing." It refers to the meeting of minds
or mutual understanding necessary for a contract or agreement.
16. "De minimis non curat lex": "The law does not concern itself with trifles." This
suggests that the law doesn't bother with minor or insignificant matters.
17. "Dies dominicus non est juridicus": "Sunday is not a day of law." It implies that
traditionally, legal proceedings or activities are not typically conducted on Sundays.
18. "Discretio est discernere per legem, quid sit justum": "Discretion is to discern through
law what is just." This emphasizes the role of discretion in interpreting the law to
determine what is fair and just in a particular situation.
19. "Dormiunt leges aliquando nunquam moriuntur": "Laws sometimes sleep but never
die." This means that while laws may become inactive or overlooked at times, they
remain in force indefinitely.
20. "Qui facit per alium facit per se" means "He who acts through another does so himself." In simpler
terms, it indicates that if someone acts on your behalf, it's as if you did it yourself.
21. "Quid sit justum" translates to "what is just." In simpler terms, it refers to determining what is fair,
right, or morally acceptable in a given situation.
