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.

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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.

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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 ...

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Suggestio Falsi

Suggestion of falsehood. Misrepresentation or concealment of truth.

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Res Nullius

No one's thing. Property without an owner.

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Lis Pendens

Pending lawsuit. Notice that litigation is pending affecting property.

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Inter Vivos

Between the living. A transfer of property made during one's lifetime.

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Doli Incapax

Incapable of wrong. The presumption that a child cannot form criminal intent.

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Ad Litem

For the purposes of the lawsuit. A guardian ad litem represents a minor in litigation.

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Ad Valorem

According to value. A tax based on the assessed value of property.

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De Minimis Non Curat Lex

The law does not concern itself with trifles. Minor or insignificant matters are not actionable.

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Sine Die

Without a day. Indefinitely adjourned without setting a future date.

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Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum

Let justice be done though the heavens fall.

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Jus Naturale

Natural law. Principles of law derived from nature and reason.

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Quo Warranto

By what authority? A writ challenging a person's right to hold public office.

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Ratio Decidendi

The reason for the decision. The legal principle that forms the binding precedent.

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Sub Nomine

Under the name. A case cited under a particular name.

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Terra Nullius

No one's land. Land without a sovereign owner.

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Scintilla

A spark. The slightest amount of evidence.

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Non Sequitur

It does not follow. A conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises.

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In Forma Pauperis

In the manner of a pauper. Allowing a poor person to proceed without court costs.

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Per Curiam

By the court. An opinion issued by the entire court rather than a specific judge.

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Jus Sanguinis

Right of blood. Citizenship determined by parentage rather than birthplace.

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Per Se

By itself. Something that is inherently or intrinsically wrong.

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Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet

No one can give what they do not have. A person cannot transfer better title than they possess.

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Quid Pro Quo

Something for something. An exchange of goods or services.

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In Dubio Pro Reo

In doubt, for the accused. When evidence is ambiguous, the court should rule in favor of the defendant.

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Veto

I forbid. The power to reject a decision or proposal.

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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.

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Nexus

Connection. A connection or link between parties or events.

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Actus Reus

The guilty act. The physical element of a crime.

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Jus Cogens

Compelling law. Peremptory principles of international law from which no derogation is permitted.

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Mala Fide

In bad faith. With intent to deceive or defraud.

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Ex Gratia

As a favor. Payment made without legal obligation.

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Noscitur A Sociis

A word is known by the company it keeps. Words should be interpreted in context with surrounding words.

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Pro Rata

In proportion. Distribution according to a proportionate share.

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Sine Qua Non

Without which not. An indispensable condition or essential element.

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Lex Talionis

The law of retaliation. An eye for an eye.

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Inter Alia

Among other things.

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Ultra Vires

Beyond the powers. An act beyond the legal authority of the person or body.

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Nemo Debet Esse Judex In Propria Causa

No one should be a judge in their own cause.

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Ex Ante

Before the event. Based on forecasts or predictions before an event occurs.

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Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex

The welfare of the people is the supreme law.

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Jus Gentium

Law of nations. The body of law common to all peoples.

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Veni, Vidi, Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered. Used in legal context to describe a swift victory.

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Ne Exeat

Let him not depart. A writ preventing a person from leaving the jurisdiction.

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Pro Bono Publico

For the public good. Legal services provided free of charge.

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Jus Soli

Right of soil. Citizenship determined by place of birth.

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Status Quo

The state in which. The existing state of affairs.

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Subpoena Duces Tecum

A subpoena to bring documents. A court order requiring production of documents.

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Ejusdem Generis

Of the same kind or nature. General words following specific words are interpreted to include things of the same type.

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Suppressio Veri

Suppression of truth. Concealment of material facts.

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Donatio Mortis Causa

A gift in contemplation of death. A gift made by a person expecting to die soon.

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Quasi

As if. Resembling but not actually.

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Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. A person cannot avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of the law.

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Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius

The express mention of one thing excludes all others.

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Lex Loci

The law of the place. The law governing transactions where they occur.

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Cui Bono

To whose benefit? A question used to determine who benefits from an action.

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Obiter Dictum

A remark in passing. A judicial statement not binding as precedent.

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Non Compos Mentis

Not of sound mind. A person lacking mental capacity.

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Ipso Facto

By the fact itself. Something that occurs automatically by operation of law.

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Pro Tanto

For so much. Partial satisfaction of a claim.

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Qua

In the capacity of. Acting in a particular role or capacity.

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Functus Officio

Having performed their office. No longer having legal authority over a matter.

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Duces Tecum

Bring with you. A subpoena requiring production of documents.