Legal Maxims

Legal Maxims are established principles of law expressed in Latin phrases. They provide guidance for statutory interpretation and judicial reasoning.

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All Articles in Legal Maxims

Nemo Judex In Causa Sua
No one shall be a judge in their own cause. This principle prevents bias and ensures impartiality in judicial proceedings.
Suggestio Falsi
Suggestion of falsehood. Misrepresentation or concealment of truth.
Actus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea
An act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty. This is the foundational principle of criminal liability requiring both a guilty ...
Audi Alteram Partem
Hear the other side. This principle of natural justice requires that no person shall be condemned without being given an opportunity to be heard.
Ad Litem
For the purposes of the lawsuit. A guardian ad litem represents a minor in litigation.
Quid Pro Quo
Something for something. An exchange of goods or services.
Mala Fide
In bad faith. With intent to deceive or defraud.
De Minimis Non Curat Lex
The law does not concern itself with trifles. Minor or insignificant matters are not actionable.
Obiter Dictum
A remark in passing. A judicial statement not binding as precedent.
Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum
Let justice be done though the heavens fall.
Per Se
By itself. Something that is inherently or intrinsically wrong.
Non Sequitur
It does not follow. A conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises.
Ex Gratia
As a favor. Payment made without legal obligation.
Ad Valorem
According to value. A tax based on the assessed value of property.
Inter Vivos
Between the living. A transfer of property made during one's lifetime.
Jus Gentium
Law of nations. The body of law common to all peoples.
Lex Talionis
The law of retaliation. An eye for an eye.
Res Nullius
No one's thing. Property without an owner.
Nemo Debet Esse Judex In Propria Causa
No one should be a judge in their own cause.
Subpoena Duces Tecum
A subpoena to bring documents. A court order requiring production of documents.
Suppressio Veri
Suppression of truth. Concealment of material facts.
Inter Alia
Among other things.
Veni, Vidi, Vici
I came, I saw, I conquered. Used in legal context to describe a swift victory.
Jus Soli
Right of soil. Citizenship determined by place of birth.
Ad Infinitum
Without limit or end.
Cui Bono
To whose benefit? A question used to determine who benefits from an action.
Lis Pendens
Pending lawsuit. Notice that litigation is pending affecting property.
Noscitur A Sociis
A word is known by the company it keeps. Words should be interpreted in context with surrounding words.
Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet
No one can give what they do not have. A person cannot transfer better title than they possess.
Ex Ante
Before the event. Based on forecasts or predictions before an event occurs.
Pro Rata
In proportion. Distribution according to a proportionate share.
Ipso Facto
By the fact itself. Something that occurs automatically by operation of law.
Functus Officio
Having performed their office. No longer having legal authority over a matter.
Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium
Where there is a right, there is a remedy. For every legal wrong, the law provides a remedy.
Vexatious Litigation
Harassing legal action. Frivolous lawsuits filed to harass or intimidate.
Quo Warranto
By what authority? A writ challenging a person's right to hold public office.
Sua Sponte
Of one's own accord. Voluntary action without request.
In Forma Pauperis
In the manner of a pauper. Allowing a poor person to proceed without court costs.
Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. A person cannot avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of the law.
Scintilla
A spark. The slightest amount of evidence.
Sine Die
Without a day. Indefinitely adjourned without setting a future date.
Non Compos Mentis
Not of sound mind. A person lacking mental capacity.
Pro Bono Publico
For the public good. Legal services provided free of charge.
Per Curiam
By the court. An opinion issued by the entire court rather than a specific judge.
Doli Incapax
Incapable of wrong. The presumption that a child cannot form criminal intent.
Ejusdem Generis
Of the same kind or nature. General words following specific words are interpreted to include things of the same type.
Subpoena Ad Testificandum
A subpoena to testify. A court order requiring a person to appear and give testimony.
Duces Tecum
Bring with you. A subpoena requiring production of documents.
Veto
I forbid. The power to reject a decision or proposal.
Lex Loci
The law of the place. The law governing transactions where they occur.
Ultra Vires
Beyond the powers. An act beyond the legal authority of the person or body.
Jus Cogens
Compelling law. Peremptory principles of international law from which no derogation is permitted.
Status Quo
The state in which. The existing state of affairs.
Sine Qua Non
Without which not. An indispensable condition or essential element.
Scienter
Knowingly. Knowledge of wrongdoing.
In Dubio Pro Reo
In doubt, for the accused. When evidence is ambiguous, the court should rule in favor of the defendant.
Quasi
As if. Resembling but not actually.
Pro Tanto
For so much. Partial satisfaction of a claim.
Jus Sanguinis
Right of blood. Citizenship determined by parentage rather than birthplace.
Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius
The express mention of one thing excludes all others.
Pendente Lite
Pending the litigation. During the course of legal proceedings.
Sub Nomine
Under the name. A case cited under a particular name.
Lex Non Scripta
Unwritten law. Common law as distinguished from statute law.
Lex Scripta
Written law. Statute law as distinguished from common law.
Nexus
Connection. A connection or link between parties or events.
Actus Reus
The guilty act. The physical element of a crime.
Ne Exeat
Let him not depart. A writ preventing a person from leaving the jurisdiction.
Nunc Pro Tunc
Now for then. An order effective retroactively.
Volenti Non Fit Injuria
To a willing person, no injury is done. A person who consents to an act cannot claim damages for resulting harm.
Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex
The welfare of the people is the supreme law.
Terra Nullius
No one's land. Land without a sovereign owner.
Qua
In the capacity of. Acting in a particular role or capacity.
Pari Passu
With equal step. Without preference, ranking equally.
Locus Standi
Place of standing. The right to bring an action in court.
Ex Officio
By virtue of office. Authority held due to one's official position.
Ratio Decidendi
The reason for the decision. The legal principle that forms the binding precedent.
Donatio Mortis Causa
A gift in contemplation of death. A gift made by a person expecting to die soon.
Sub Judice
Under judgment. A matter currently pending before a court.
Jus Naturale
Natural law. Principles of law derived from nature and reason.
In Rem
Against a thing. A judgment directed against property rather than a person.
Forum Non Conveniens
Inconvenient forum. The doctrine allowing dismissal when another court is more appropriate.
In Personam
Against a person. A judgment directed against a specific person.