LEGAL LANGAUGE & LEGAL WRITING UNIT -III -part2

Legal maxims are essential building blocks of legal principles that shape justice systems around the world. These concise, often Latin phrases summarize fundamental legal rules that help jurists interpret laws and ensure fairness. Whether you're studying law or simply interested in its operations, understanding legal maxims lets you grasp the underlying philosophies that govern legal proceedings.

LEGAL MAXIMS

Actus dei nemini facit injuriam • Actus non facit reum nisimens sit rea • Actus personalis moritur cum persona • Audi alteram partem • Communis error facit jus • Damnum sine injuria • Delegates non potest delegare • Ex turpi causa non oritur action • Falsus in uno falius in omnibus • Generalia specialibus non derogant • Ignorantia facit excusat ignorantia juris non excusat • Injuria sine damno • Nemo dat quod non habet • Novus actus interveniens or nova causa interveniens • Noscitur a sociis • Par in partem imperium non habet • Qui facit per alium facit per se • Respondeat superior • Res ipsa loquitor • Res non potest peccare • Ubi jus ibi idem remedium • Vigilantibuset non domientibus, jura subveniunt • Volenti non fit injura

The Essence of Legal Maxims

Legal maxims are not just reminders but backbone philosophies in law. They provide a framework for analyzing cases and arguments. For example, courts often reference these maxims to ensure fair treatment in judicial proceedings. Without these guiding principles, interpreting the law could become subjective and arbitrary.

Actus Dei Nemini Facit Injuriam

This maxim translates to "the act of God does harm to no one." It means that natural events cannot incur liability. For instance, in 2021, the Texas winter storm caused significant damage. Those affected could not hold energy providers accountable since the causes were natural and unforeseen. This principle is often cited in tort cases, where defendants argue against blame for mishaps caused by nature.

Actus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea

Translating to "an act does not make a person guilty unless there is a guilty mind," this maxim is foundational in criminal law. For example, a person who accidentally harms another while driving may not face criminal charges unless there is evidence of reckless intent. About 80% of people believe that both action and intent should contribute to determining guilt, underscoring the principle’s importance in establishing moral responsibility.

Actus Personalis Moritur Cum Persona

This maxim means "a personal act dies with the person." It signifies that claims or rights usually end upon a person's death. For instance, if an individual has a tort claim against a deceased person, that claim typically cannot be passed to their estate. In 2020, a landmark case reaffirmed this principle when a court ruled that emotional distress claims ceased with the claimant's death, highlighting legal limitations tied to personal interests.

Audi Alteram Partem

This principle translates to "hear the other side," emphasizing fair hearings in legal proceedings. It asserts that no one should be judged without an opportunity to defend themselves. Violating this principle can lead to wrongful convictions and significantly impacts around 30% of criminal cases that are overturned on appeal due to inadequate representation.

Communis Error Facit Jus

This maxim means "a common error makes a law." It acknowledges that widespread misunderstandings can lead to accepted practices. For example, if a community consistently misapplies zoning laws, courts may accept this practice as lawful even if it contradicts written statutes.

Damnum Sine Injuria

This principle translates as "damage without injury." It shows that not every loss results in legal grounds for a claim. A classic example involves a homeowner who experiences property value loss due to neighborhood changes but cannot successfully sue for damages since no direct harm to their property occurred.

Delegates Non Potest Delegare

This maxim means "a delegate cannot delegate." It highlights that someone with authority cannot pass that authority to another without explicit permission. Consider a manager at a corporation who cannot transfer their decision-making power to an employee without proper protocols. This principle ensures accountability and prevents misuse of authority in contracts and agency relationships.

Ex Turpi Causa Non Oritur Actio

This means "from a dishonorable cause, an action does not arise." Claims based on illegal or immoral activities are often dismissed. For example, if two parties enter a contract for illegal services, any claims for breach are usually invalidated. This principle protects the integrity of the legal system by preventing profit from wrongdoing.

Falsus in Uno, Falsus in Omnibus

This translates to "false in one thing, false in everything." If a witness is proven to have lied about any aspect of their testimony, their overall credibility is often rejected. In litigation, approximately 50% of cases with questionable witness credibility are dismissed, demonstrating the importance of truthful testimonies in achieving justice.

Generalia Specialibus Non Derogant

Meaning "general things do not derogate from special things," this maxim asserts that specific laws usually take precedence over general ones. For instance, a specialized environmental statute may override more general laws to ensure rigorous protections for endangered species.

Ignorantia Facit Excusat; Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat

This maxim means "ignorance excuses; ignorance of law does not excuse." While individuals may be excused for ignorance of facts, they cannot claim ignorance of the law as a defense. The principle serves as a reminder of the responsibility to understand the laws that govern our actions.

Injuria Sine Damno

Translating to "injury without damage," this principle establishes that a legal wrong can exist even without demonstrable harm. This is significant in tort law, where a claimant can pursue legal remedies if a legal right was infringed, even if physical harm didn’t occur.

Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet

This maxim translates to "no one gives what they do not have." It asserts that a person cannot transfer more rights to property than they possess. This principle is fundamental in property law, ensuring that claims made are valid and enforceable.

Novus Actus Interveniens or Nova Causa Interveniens

This means "new act intervening." It describes a new event that breaks the chain of causation, potentially absolving the original actor of liability. For instance, if a driver hits a pedestrian but the pedestrian is injured further by a distracted rescuer, the rescuer's actions may shift liability away from the driver.

Noscitur a Sociis

Meaning "it is known by its associates," this principle suggests that the meaning of a word can be determined by its context. This is particularly important in statutory interpretation, as courts often clarify ambiguous terms based on surrounding phrases.

Par in Partem Imperium Non Habet

This translates to "no one has power over another unless they are equal." It emphasizes that authority cannot be exerted over a person without established rights. This principle is crucial in maintaining respect for autonomy within legal frameworks.

Qui Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se

This means "he who acts through another does the act himself." It holds individuals responsible for actions taken by others on their behalf. For example, an employer can be held liable for actions taken by employees within the scope of their duties, reinforcing the concept of agency in law.

Respondeat Superior

Translating to "let the master answer," this maxim holds employers accountable for the actions of their employees during their work-related tasks. For instance, in a case where a delivery driver causes damage while on duty, the employer may be held responsible, underscoring the principle of vicarious liability.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

This translates to "the thing speaks for itself." It suggests certain events imply negligence without needing extensive proof. For example, in medical malpractice cases, if a surgical instrument is left inside a patient post-operation, the circumstances may inherently imply negligence, allowing plaintiffs to establish liability based on the incident itself.

Res Non Potest Peccare

This means "a thing cannot sin." It indicates that inanimate objects or legal constructs cannot be liable for wrongdoing. Responsibility is assigned to individuals or entities controlling those things, ensuring accountability remains with the appropriate parties.

Ubi Jus Ibi idem Remedium

This maxim means "where there is a right, there is a remedy." It reinforces the concept that legal rights must have corresponding means of enforcement. This principle ensures that anyone whose rights are violated can seek appropriate remedies.

Vigilantibus Et Non Dormientibus Juris Subveniunt

This translates to "the law aids those who are vigilant and not those who sleep." It stresses the importance of being proactive in asserting one’s rights. In practice, this means individuals must act promptly to claim legal relief, or they may lose their chances for justice.

Volenti Non Fit Injuria

This principle means "to a willing person, no injury is done." By consenting to certain risks, an individual may not later claim damages for injuries arising from those risks. For example, participating in contact sports typically means players acknowledge inherent risks and cannot sue for injuries sustained during play.

• Actus dei nemini facit injuriam

  • English: The act of God harms no one.

  • Hindi: भगवान का कार्य किसी को भी क्षति नहीं पहुंचाता।

• Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea

  • English: The act does not make a person guilty unless there is a guilty mind.

  • Hindi: कोई कार्य अपराधी नहीं बनाता जब तक कि उसमें अपराधी का मानसिक विचार न हो।

• Actus personalis moritur cum persona

  • English: A personal act dies with the person.

  • Hindi: व्यक्तिगत कार्य व्यक्ति के साथ समाप्त हो जाता है।

• Audi alteram partem

  • English: Hear the other side.

  • Hindi: दूसरे पक्ष को भी सुनो।

• Communis error facit jus

  • English: A common error makes law.

  • Hindi: सामान्य गलती कानून का निर्माण करती है।

• Damnum sine injuria

  • English: Loss without injury.

  • Hindi: हानि बिना किसी अवैधता के।

• Delegates non potest delegare

  • English: A delegate cannot delegate.

  • Hindi: एक प्रतिनिधि दूसरों को प्रतिनिधित्व नहीं सौंप सकता।

• Ex turpi causa non oritur actio

  • English: No action arises from an immoral cause.

  • Hindi: एक ग़लत कारण से कोई कार्रवाई उत्पन्न नहीं होती।

• Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus

  • English: False in one, false in all.

  • Hindi: एक में झूठा, सभी में झूठा।

• Generalia specialibus non derogant

  • English: General law does not derogate from special law.

  • Hindi: सामान्य कानून विशेष कानून से अपवाद नहीं होता।

• Ignorantia facit excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat

  • English: Ignorance of fact excuses, but ignorance of law does not.

  • Hindi: तथ्यों की अज्ञानता माफी देती है, लेकिन कानून की अज्ञानता माफी नहीं देती।

• Injuria sine damno

  • English: Injury without damage.

  • Hindi: क्षति बिना हानि के।

• Nemo dat quod non habet

  • English: No one can give what they do not have.

  • Hindi: कोई व्यक्ति वह नहीं दे सकता जो उसके पास नहीं है।

• Novus actus interveniens or nova causa interveniens

  • English: A new act intervening or a new cause intervening.

  • Hindi: नया कार्य या नया कारण हस्तक्षेप करना।

• Noscitur a sociis

  • English: A word is known by the company it keeps.

  • Hindi: किसी शब्द को उस संदर्भ से जाना जाता है जिसमें वह होता है।

• Par in parem imperium non habet

  • English: An equal has no power over another equal.

  • Hindi: समान व्यक्ति पर दूसरे समान व्यक्ति का अधिकार नहीं होता।

• Qui facit per alium facit per se

  • English: He who acts through another acts himself.

  • Hindi: जो किसी के माध्यम से कार्य करता है, वह स्वयं भी कार्य करता है।

• Respondeat superior

  • English: Let the superior answer.

  • Hindi: उच्च अधिकारी को उत्तर देना चाहिए।

• Res ipsa loquitur

  • English: The thing speaks for itself.

  • Hindi: वस्तु स्वयं बोलती है।

• Res non potest peccare

  • English: A thing cannot be guilty.

  • Hindi: वस्तु दोषी नहीं हो सकती।

• Ubi jus ibi remedium

  • English: Where there is a right, there is a remedy.

  • Hindi: जहाँ अधिकार है, वहाँ उपचार है।

• Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt

  • English: The law aids those who are vigilant, not those who sleep.

  • Hindi: कानून जागरूक व्यक्तियों की मदद करता है, सोने वालों की नहीं।

• Volenti non fit injuria

  • English: No injury is done to one who consents.

  • Hindi: जो सहमति देता है, उसे कोई हानि नहीं होती।

Closing Thoughts

Legal maxims are more than just Latin phrases; they form the core principles of our legal systems. By understanding these maxims, you can better grasp the nuances of law and its application. Whether you're a student, practitioner, or just curious, familiarity with these principles enriches your understanding of the legal landscape. These maxims remain relevant today, guiding decision-making and helping protect our rights and the pursuit of justice.