A mensa et thoro – From bed and board.

Actus nemini facit injuriam – The act of the law does no one
wrong.
A vinculo matrimonii – From the bond of matrimony.
Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea – The act does not make
Ab extra – From outside. one guilty unless there be a criminal intent.

Ab initio – From the beginning. Actus reus – A guilty deed or act.

Absoluta sententia expositore non indiget – An absolute Ad ea quae frequentius acciduunt jura adaptantur – The laws
judgment needs no expositor. are adapted to those cases which occur more frequently.

Abundans cautela non nocet – Abundant caution does no harm. Ad hoc – For this purpose.

Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale – An Ad infinitum – Forever, without limit, to infinity.
accessory does not draw, but follows its principal.
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam – For a perpetual memorial of the
Accessorius sequitur – One who is an accessory to the crime matter.
cannot be guilty of a more serious crime than the principal offender.
Ad quaestionem facti non respondent judices; ad
Acta exteriora iudicant interiora secreta – Outward acts quaestionem legis non respondent juratores – The judges do
indicate the inward intent. not answer to a question of fact; the jury do not answer to a
question of Law.
Actio non accrevit infra sex annos – The action has not accrued
within six years. 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
Actio non datur non damnificato – An action is not given to one another.
who is not injured.
Aequitas legem sequitur – Equity follows the law.
Actio personalis moritur cum persona – A personal action dies
with the person. Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem – Equity never
contradicts the law.
Actiones legis – Law suits.
Alibi – At another place, elsewhere.
Actori incumbit onus probandi – The burden of proof lies on the
plaintiff. Alienatio rei praefertur juri accrescendi – Alienation is preferred
by law rather than accumulation.
Aliunde – From elsewhere, or, from a different source Arbor dum crescit; lignum cum crescere nescit – A tree while it
grows, wood when it cannot grow.
Allegans contraria non est audiendus – One making
contradictory statements is not to be heard. Argumentum ab auctoritate fortissimum est in lege – An
argument drawn from authority is the strongest in law.
Allegans suam turpitudinem non est audiendus – One alleging
his own infamy is not to be heard. Argumentum ab impossibilii plurimum valet in lege – An
argument from impossibility is very strong in law.
Allegatio contra factum non est admittenda – An allegation
contrary to a deed is not to be heard. Argumentum ad hominem – An argument directed a the person.

Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est – An ambiguity is most Argumentum ad ignoratiam – An argument based upon
strongly construed against the party using it. ignorance (i.e. of one’s adversary).

Ambiguitas verborum patens nulla verificatione excluditur – Arma in armatos sumere jura sinunt – The laws permit the
A patent ambiguity is never helped by averment. taking up of arms against the armed.

Amicus curiae – A friend of the Court. Assentio mentium – The meeting of minds, i.e. mutual assent.

Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem – The laws of Assignatus utitur jure auctoris – An assignee is clothed with
England are favorable in every case to liberty. rights of his assignor.

Animo furandi – With an intention of stealing. Audi alteram partem – Hear the other side.

Animo testandi – With an intention of making a will. Aula regis – The King’s Court.

Annus luctus – The year of mourning. Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus seu dubiis est
preferenda – The more favorable construction is to be placed on
Ante – Before. general or doubtful words.

Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere solebat – Water runs Bis dat qui cito dat – He gives (pays) twice who pays promptly.
and ought to run.
Bona fide – Sincere, in good faith
Arbitrium est judicium – An award is a judgment.
Bona vacantia – Goods without an owner
Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem – It is the part of a Cepi corpus et est languidum – I have taken the body and the
good judge to enlarge his jurisdiction, i.e. remedial authority. prisoner is sick.

Boni judicis est judicium sine dilatione mandare executioni – Cepi corpus et paratum habeo – I have taken the body and have
It is the duty of a good judge to cause execution to issue on a it ready.
judgment without delay.
Ceteris paribus – Other things being equal.
Boni judicis lites dirimere est – It is the duty of a good judge to
prevent litigation. Consensu – Unanimously or, by general consent.

Bonus judex secundum aequum et bonum judicat et Consensus ad idem – Agreement as to the same things.
aequitatem stricto juri praefert – A good judge decides
according to justice and right and prefers equity to strict law. Consuetudo loci observanda est – The custom of the place is to
be observed.
Breve judiciale non cadit pro defectu formae – A judicial
writing does not fail through defect of form. Contemporanea expositio est optima et fortissima in lege – A
contemporaneous exposition is best and most powerful in law.
Cadit quaestio – The matter admits of no further argument.
Contra – To the contrary.
Cassetur billa (breve) – Let the writ be quashed.
Contra bonos mores – Against good morals.
Casus fortuitus non est spectandus; et nemo tenetur
divinare – A fortuitous event is not to be foreseen and no person is Contra non valentem agere nulla currit praescriptio – No
bound to divine it. prescription runs against a person not able to act.

Catalla reputantur inter minima in lege – Chattels are Contractus est quasi actus contra actum – A contract is an act
considered in law among the minor things. as it were against an act.

Causa proxima, non remota spectatur – The immediate, and Conventio et modus vincunt legem – A contract and agreement
not the remote cause is to be considered. overcome the law.

Caveat emptor – Let the purchaser beware. Conventio privatorum non potest publico juri derogare – An
agreement of private persons cannot derogate from public right.
Caveat venditor – Let the seller beware.
Coram Domino Rege – In the presence of our Lord the King.
Coram non judice – Before one who is not a judge. De bonis non administratis – Of goods not administered.

Corpus – Body. De die in diem – From day to day.

Corpus delicti – The body, i.e. the gist of crime. De facto – In fact.

Corpus humanum non recipit aestimationem – A human body De futuro – In the future.
is not susceptible of appraisement.
De integro – As regards the whole.
Crescente malitia crescere debet et poena – Vice increasing,
punishment ought also to increase. De jure – Rightful, by right.

Crimen omnia ex se nata vitiat – Crime vitiates every thing, De minimis lex non curat – The law does not notice trifling
which springs from it. matters.

Crimen trahit personam – The crime carries the person. De novo – Starting afresh.

Cujus est dare, ejus est disponere – He who has a right to give Debile fundamentum fallit opus – Where there is a weak
has the right to dispose of the gift. foundation, the work fails.

Cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad coelam; et ad inferos – He Debita sequuntur personam debitoria – Debts follow the person
who owns the soil owns it up to the sky; and to its depth. of the debtor.

Cum duo inter se pugnantia reperiuntur in testamentis Debitor non praesumitur donare – A debtor is not presumed to
ultimum ratum est – When two things repugnant to each other make a gift.
are found in a will, the last is to be confirmed.
Debitum et contractus sunt nullius loci – Debt and contract are
Cursus curiae est lex curiae – The practice of the court is the law of no particular place.
of the court.
Debitum in praesenti, solvendum in futuro – A present debt is
Custos morum – A guardian of morals. to be discharged in the future.

Damnum sine injuria – damage without legal injury. Delegata potestas non potest delegari – A delegated authority
cannot be again delegated.
De bonis asportatis – Of goods carried away.
Derivativa potestas non potest esse major primitiva – The Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat – The burden of
power which is derived cannot be greater than that from which it is the proof lies upon him who affirms, not he who denies.
derived.
Error, qui non resistitur approbatur – An error not resisted is
Deus solus haeredem facere potest, non homo – God alone, approved.
not man, can make an heir.
Et cetera – Other things of that type.
Dies Dominicus non est juridicus – Sunday is not a day in law.
Ex cathedra – With official authority.
Discretio est discernere per legem quid sit justum – Discretion
is to discern through law what is just. Ex concessis – In view of what has already been accepted/

Doli incapax – Incapable of crime. Ex dolo malo actio non oritur – A right of action cannot arise out
of fraud.
Dominium – Ownership.
Ex facie – On the fact of it.
Domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium – Every mans
house is his safest refuge. Ex gratia – Out of kindness, voluntary.

Dona clandestina sunt semper suspiciosa – Clandestine gifts Ex nihilo nil fit – From nothing nothing comes.
are always suspicious.
Ex nudo pacto actio non oritur – No action arises on a contract
Dormiunt leges aliquando, nunquam moriuntur – The laws without a consideration.
sometimes sleep, but never die.
Ex parte – Proceeding brought by one person in the absence of
Doti lex favet; praemium pudoris est; ideo parcatur – The law another.
favors dower; it is the reward of chastity, therefore let it be
preserved. Ex post facto – By reason of a subsequent act.

Dubitante – Doubting the correctness of the decision. Ex praecedentibus et consequentibus optima fit
interpretatio – The best interpretation is made from things
Duo non possunt in solido unam rem possidere – Two cannot preceding and following.
possess one thing each in entirety.
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio – No action arises on an immoral
Ei incumbit probatio qui – The onus of proving a fact rests upon contract.
the man.
Exceptio probat regulam – An exception proves the rule. Fictio cedit veritati; fictio juris non est, ubi veritas – Fiction
yields to truth. Where truth is, fiction of law does not exist.
Executio est executio juris secundum judicium – Execution is
the fulfillment of the law in accordance with the judgment. Fides servanda est – Good faith is to be preserved.

Executio est finis et fructus legis – An execution is the end and Fieri facias (abreviated fi. fa.) – That you cause to be made.
the fruit of the law.
Filiatio non potest probari – Filiation cannot be proved.
Executio legis non habet injuriam – Execution of the law does
no injury. Firmior et potentior est operatio legis quam dispositio
hominis – The operation of law is firmer and more powerful than
Extra legem positus est civiliter mortuus – One out of the pale the will of man.
of the law (i.e. an outlaw) is civilly dead.
Forma legalis forma essentialis est – Legal form is essential
Faciendum – Something which is to be done. form.

Factum – An act or deed. Fortior est custodia legis quam hominis – The custody of the
law is stronger than that of man.
Facultas probationum non est angustanda – The right of
offering proof is not to be narrowed. Fractionem diei non recipit lex – The law does not regard a
fraction of a day.
Falsa demonstratio non nocet – A false description does not
vitiate. Fraus est celare fraudem – It is a fraud to conceal a fraud.

Fatetur facinus qui judicium fugit – He who flees judgment Fraus est odiosa et non praesumenda – Fraud is odious and is
confesses his guilt. not to be presumed.

Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas – Happy is he who Fraus et jus nunquam cohabitant – Fraud and justice never
has been able to understand the causes of things. dwell together.

Felonia implicatur in qualibet proditione – Felony is implied in Fructus naturales – Vegetation which grows naturally without
every treason. cultivation.

Festinatio justitiae est noverca infortunii – The hurrying of Frustra probatur quod probatum non relevat – That is proved
justice is the stepmother of misfortune. in vain which when proved is not relevant.
Furor contrahi matrimonium non sinit, quia consensus opus Id quod commune est, nostrum esse dicitur – That which is
est – Insanity prevents marriage from being contracted because common is said to be ours.
consent is needed.
Idem – The same person or thing.
Generale nihil certum implicat – A general expression implies
nothing certain. Idem nihil dicere et insufficienter dicere est – It is the same to
say nothing as not to say enough.
Generalia praecedunt, specialia sequuntur – Things general
precede, things special follow. Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat –
Ignorance of fact excuses, ignorance of law does not excuse.
Generalia specialibus non derogant – Things general do not
derogate from things special. Imperium in imperio – A sovereignty within a sovereignty.

Generalis regula generaliter est intelligenda – A general rule is Impotentia excusat legem – Impossibility is an excuse in the law.
to be generally understood.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat – Impunity always leads
Gravius est divinam quam temporalem laedere majestatem – to greater crimes.
It is more serious to hurt divine than temporal majesty.
In aequali jure melior est conditio possidentis – When the
Habeas corpus – That you have the body. parties have equal rights, the condition of the possessor is better.

Habemus optimum testem confitentem reum – We have the In alta proditione nullus potest esse acessorius; sed
best witness, a confessing defendant. principalis solum modo – In high treason no one can be an
accessory; but a principal only.
Haeredem est nomen collectum – Heir is a collective name.
In Anglia non est interregnum – In England there is no
Haeres est nomen juris, filius est nomen naturae – Heir is a interregnum.
term of law, son, one of nature.
In camera – In private.
Haeres legitimus est quem nuptiae demonstrant – He is the
lawful heir whom the marriage indicates. In casu extremae necessitatis omnia sunt communia – In a
case of extreme necessity everything is common.
Homo vocabulum est naturae; persona juris civilis – Man is a
term of nature, person of the civil law. In criminalibus probationes debent esse luce clariores – In
criminal cases the proofs ought to be cleared than the light.
Id est (i.e) – That is.
In curia domini regis, ipse in propria persona jura discernit – In pari delicto potior est conditio possidentis – When the
In the Kings Court, the King himself in his own person dispenses parties are equally in the wrong the condition of the possessor is
justice. better.

In delicto – At fault. In personam – Against the person.

In esse – In existence. In pleno – In full.

In extenso – At full length. In quo quis delinquit in eo de jure est puniendus – In

whatever thing one offends in that he is to be punished according to
In fictione legis aequitas existit – A legal fiction is consistent law.
with equity.
In re dubia magis inficiatio quam affirmatio intelligenda – In
In foro conscientiae – In the forum of conscience. a doubtful matter the negative is to be understood rather than the
affirmative.
In futoro – In the future.
In republica maxime conservanda sunt jura belli – In a State
In jure non remota causa sed proxima spectatur – In law not the laws of war are to be especially observed.
the remote but the proximate cause is looked at.
In situ – In its place.
In limine – At the outset, on the threshold.
In terrorem – As a warning or deterrent.
In loco parentis – In place of the parent.
In testamentis plenius testatoris intentionem scrutamur – In
In mortua manu – In a dead hand. wills we seek diligently the intention of the testator.

In novo casu novum remedium apponendum est – In a new In traditionibus scriptorum non quod dictum est, sed quod
case a new remedy is to be applied. gestum est, inspicitur – In the delivery of writings (deeds), not
what is said but what is done is to be considered.
In omni re nascitur res quae ipsam rem exterminat – In
everything is born that which destroys the thing itself. 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.
In omnibus – In every respect.

Indicia – Marks, signs.

Injuria non excusat injuriam – A wrong does not excuse a Invito beneficium non datur – A benefit is not conferred upon
wrong. one against his consent.

Intentio inservire debet legibus, non leges intentioni – Ipsissima verba – The very words of a speaker.
Intention ought to be subservient to the laws, not the laws to the
intention. Ipso facto – By that very fact.

Inter alia – Amongst other things. Ira furor brevis est – Anger is brief insanity.

Interest reipublicae res judicatas non rescindi – It is in the Iter arma leges silent – In war the laws are silent.
interest of the State that things adjudged be not rescinded.
Judex est lex loquens – A judge is the law speaking.
Interest reipublicae suprema hominum testamenta rata
haberi – It is in the interest of the State that mens last wills be Judex non potest esse testis in propira causa – A judge cannot
sustained. be witness in his own cause.

Interest reipublicae ut quilibet re sua bene utatur – It is in Judex non potest injuriam sibi datam punire – A judge cannon
the interest of the State that every one use properly his own punish a wrong done to himself.
property.
Judex non reddit plus quam quod petens ipse requirit – A
Interest reipublicase ut sit finis litium – It is in the interest of judge does not give more than the plaintiff himself demands.
the State that there be an end to litigation.
Judiciis posterioribus fides est adhibenda – Faith must be
Interim – Temporary, in the meanwhile. given to later decisions.

Interpretare et concordare leges legibus est optimus Judicis est judicare secundum allegata et probata – It is the
interpretandi modus – To interpret and harmonize laws is the duty of a judge to decide according to the allegations and the proofs.
best method of interpretation.
Judicium non debet esse illusorium, suum effectum habere
Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat quam pereat – debet – A judgment ought not to be illusory; it ought to have its
Such a construction is to be made that the thing may have effect proper effect.
rather than it should fail.
Juduces non tenentur exprimere causam sententiae suae –
Interruptio multiplex non tollit praescriptionem semel Judges are not bound to explain the reason of their judgment.
obtentam – Repeated interruption does not defeat a prescription
once obtained.
Jura naturae sunt immutabilia – The laws of nature are Jusjurandum inter alios factum nec nocere nec prodesse
immutable. debet – An oath made between third parties ought neither to hurt
nor profit.
Jura publica anteferenda privatis juribus – Public rights are to
be preferred to private rights. Justitia est duplec; severe puniens et vere praeveniens –
Justice is two-fold; severely punishing and in reality prohibiting
Juramentum est indivisibile et non est admittendum in parte (offences).
verum et in parte falsum – An oath is indivisible and it is not to
be held partly true and partly false. Justitia firmatur solium – The throne is established by justice.

Jurare est Deum in testem vocare, et est actus divini cultus – Justitia nemini neganda est – Justice is to be denied to no one.
To swear is to call God to witness and is an act of divine worship.
Leges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant – Subsequent
Jus – A right that is recognised in law. laws repeal prior conflicting ones.

Jus accrescendi praefertur oneribus – The right of survivorship Legibus sumptis desinentibus legibus naturae utendum est –
is preferred to incumbrances. When laws imposed by the State fail, we must use the laws of
nature.
Jus ad rem; jus in re – A right to a thing; a right in a thing.
Lex aliquando sequitur aequitatem – The law sometimes follows
Jus dicere, non jus dare – To declare the law, not to make the equity.
law.
Lex citius tolerare vult privatum damnum quam publicum
Jus est norma recti; et quicquid est contra normam recti est malum – The law would rather tolerate a private injury than a
injuria – The law is a rule of right; and whatever is contrary to a public evil.
rule of right is an injury.
Lex dabit remedium – The law will give a remedy.
Jus naturale – Natural justice.
Lex dilationes abhorret – The law abhors delays.
Jus naturale est quod apud omnes homines eandem habet
potentiam – Natural right is that which has the same force among Lex est judicum tutissimus ductor – The law is the safest guide
all men. for judges.

Jus scriptum aut non scriptum – The written law or the Lex est sanctio sancta jubens honesta et prohibens contraria
unwritten law. – The law is a sacred sanction, commanding what is right and
prohibiting the contrary.
Lex indendit vicinum vicini facta scire – The law presumes that Lex rejicit superflua, pugnatia, incongrua – The law rejects
one neighbor knows the acts of another. superfluous, contradictory and incongruous things.

Lex necessitatis est lex temporis i.e. instantis – The law of Lex spectat naturae ordinem – The law regards the order of
necessity is the law of time, that is time present. nature.

Lex neminem cogit ad vana seu impossiblia – The law compels Lex succurrit ignoranti – The law succors the ignorant.
no one to do vain or impossible things.
Lex tutissima cassis, sub clypeo legis nemo decipitur – Law is
Lex nil frustra facit – The law does nothing in vain. the safest helmet; under the shield of the law no one is deceived.

Lex non a rege est violanda – The law must not be violated even Lex uno ore omnes alloquitur – The law speaks to all through
by the King. one mouth.

Lex non deficere potest in justitia exhibenda – The law cannot Longa possessio est pacis jus – Long possession is the law of
fail in dispensing justice. peace.

Lex non novit patrem, nec matrem; solam veritatem – The Longa possessio parit jus possidendi et tollit actionem vero
law does not know neither father nor mother, only the truth. domino – Long possession produces the right of possession and
takes away from the true owner his action.
Lex non oritur ex injuria – The law does not arise from a mere
injury. Magister rerum usus; magistra rerum experientia – Use is the
master of things; experience is the mistress of things.
Lex non requirit verificari quod apparet curiae – The law does
not require that to be proved which is apparent to the Court. Major continet in se minus – The greater contains the less.

Lex non favet delicatorum votis – The law does not favor the Majus est delictum se ipsum occidere quam alium – It is a
wishes of the dainty. greater crime to kill ones self than another.

Lex plus laudatur quando ratione probatur – The law is the Mala fide – In bad faith.
more praised when it is supported by reason.
Mala grammatica non vitiat chartam – Bad grammar does not
Lex prospicit not respicit – The law looks forwared, not vitiate a deed.
backward.
Mala in se – Bad in themselves.
Lex punit mendaciam – The law punishes falsehood.
Mala prohibita – Crimes prohibited. Mors dicitur ultimum supplicium – Death is called the extreme
penalty.
Malitia supplet aesatem – Malice supplies age.
Muilta exercitatione facilius quam regulis percipies – You wil
Malo animo – With evil intent.
Nam nemo haeres viventis – For no one is an heir of a living
Mandamus – We command. person.

Maximus magister erroris populus est – The people are the Naturae vis maxima est – The force of nature is the greatest.
greatest master of error.
Necessitas inducit privilegium quoad jura privata – With
Melior est conditio possidentis, ubi neuter jus habet – Better respect to private rights necessity induces privilege.
is the condition of the possessor where neither of the two has the
right. Necessitas non habet legem – Necessity has no law.

Melior testatoris in testamentis spectanda est – In wills the Necessitas publica est major quam privata – Public necessity is
intention of a testator is to be regarded. greater than private necessity.

Meliorem conditionem suam facere potest minor deteriorem Negligentia semper habet infortuniam comitem – Negligence
nequaquam – A minor can make his position better, never worse. always has misfortune for a companion.

Mens rea – Guilty state of mind. Nemo admittendus est inhabilitare se ipsum – No one is
allowed to incapacitate himself.
Mentiri est contra mentem ire – To lie is to act against the mind.
Nemo bis punitur pro eodem delicto – No one can be twice
Merito beneficium legis amittit, qui legem ipsam subvertere punished for the same offence.
intendit – He justly loses the benefit of the law who seeks to
infringe the law. Nemo cogitur suam rem vendere, etiam justo pretio – No one
is bound to sell his own property, even for a just price.
Minatur innocentibus qui parcit nocentibus – He threatens the
innocent who spares the guilty. Nemo contra factum suum venire potest – No man can
contradict his own deed.
Misera est servitus, ubi jus est vagum aut incertum – It is a
miserable slavery where the law is vague or uncertain. Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa – No one can be judge
in his own case.
Nemo plus juris transferre ad alium potest quam ipse habet Nihil quod est inconveniens est licitum – Nothing inconvenient
– No one can transfer to another a larger right than he himself has. is lawful.

Nemo potest contra recordum verificare per patriam – No one Nil facit error nominis cum de corpore constat – An error of
can verify by the country, that is, through a jury, against the record. name makes not difference when it appears from the body of the
instrument.
Nemo potest esse tenens et dominus – No one can at the same
time be a tenant and a landlord (of the same tenement). Nisi – Unless

Nemo potest facere per alium, quod per se non potest – No Non compus mentis – Not of sound mind and understanding
one can do through another what he cannot do himself.
Non constat – It is not certain
Nemo potest mutare consilium suum in alterius injuriam –
No one can change his purpose to the injury of another. Non decipitur qui scit se decipi – He is not deceived who knows
that he is deceived.
Nemo praesumitur esse immemor suae aeternae salutis et
maxime in articulo mortis – No one is presumed to be forgetful Non definitur in jure quid sit conatus – What an attempt is, is
of his eternal welfare, and particularly in the hour of death. not defined in law.

Nemo prohibetur pluribus defensionibus uti – No one is Non est arctius vinculum inter homines quam jusjurandum –
forbidden to make use of several defences. There is no stronger link among men than an oath.

Nemo punitur pro alieno delicto – No one is punished for the Non est factum – It is not his deed
crime of another.
Non est informatus – He is not informed.
Nemo se accusare debet, nisi coram Deo – No one should
accuse himself except in the presence of God. Non facias malum ut inde veniat bonum – You shall not do evil
that good may come of it.
Nemo tenetur accusare se ipsum nisi coram Deo – No one is
bound to accuse himself except in the presence of God. Non jus, sed seisina, facit stipitem – Not right, but seisin makes
a stock (from which the inheritance must descend).
Nemo tenetur armare adversarium contra se – No one is
bound to arm his adversary against himself. 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
Nexus – Connection judicially.
Non sequitur – An inconsistent statement, it does not follow Pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant – The father is he whom
the marriage points out.
Nullus commodum capere potest ex sua injuria propria – No
one can derive an advantage from his own wrong. Peccata contra naturam sunt gravissima – Wrongs against
nature are the most serious.
Nullus recedat e curia cancellaria sine remedio – No one
should depart from a Court of Chancery without a remedy. Pendente lite nihil innovetur – During litigation nothing should
be changed.
Omne sacramentum debet esse de certa scientia – Every oath
ought to be of certain knowledge. Per curiam – In the opinion of the court.

Omnia delicta in aperto leviora sunt – All crimes (committed) in Per minas – By means of menaces or threats.
the open are (considered) lighter.
Per quod – By reason of which.
Omnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem – All things are
presumed against a wrongdoer. Post mortem – After death.

Omnis innovatio plus novitate perturbat quam utilitate Prima facie – On the face of it.
prodeat – Every innovation disturbs more by its novelty than it
benefits by its utility. Prima impressionis – On first impression.

Optima legum interpres est consuetudo – The best interpreter Pro hac vice – For this occasion.
of laws is custom.
Pro rata – In proportion.
Optimus interpres rerum est usus – The best interpreter of
things is usage.
Pro tanto – So far, to that extent.

Pacta privata juri publico non derogare possunt – Private

Pro tempore – For the time being.
contracts cannot derogate from public law.
Publici juris – Of public right.
Par delictum – Equal fault.
Quaeitur – The question is raised.
Pari passu – On an equal footing.
Quantum – How much, an amount.
Partus sequitur ventrem – The offspring follows the mother.
Qui facit per alium, facit per se – He who acts through another Qui sentit commodum, debet et sentire onus – He who derives
acts himself. a benefit ought also to bear a burden.

Qui haeret in litera, haeret in cortice – He who stices to the Qui tacet consentire videtur – He who is silent appears to
letter, sticks to the bark. consent.

Qui in utero est, pro jam nato habetur, quoties de ejus Quid pro quo – Consideration. something for something.
commodo quaeritur – He who is in the womb is considered as
already born as far as his benefit is considered. Quidcquid plantatur solo, solo cedit – Whatever is planted in or
affixed to the soil, belongs to the soil.
Qui non habet potestatem alienandi, habet necessitatem
retinendi – He who has not the power of alienating is under the Quod ab initio non valet, in tractu temporis non convalescit –
necessity of retaining. What is not valid in the beginning does not become valid by time.

Qui non habet, ille non dat – He who has not, does not give. Quod constat curiae opere testium non indiget – What
appears to the Court needs not the help of witnesses.
Qui non improbat, approbat – He who does not disapprove,
approves. Quod necessarie intelligitur, id non deest – What is necessarily
understood is not wanting.
Qui non obstat quod obstare potest facere videtur – He who
does not prevent what he is able to prevent, is considered as Quod necessitas cogit, defendit – What necessity forces it
committing the thing. justifies.

Qui non prohibet quod prohibere potest assentire videtur – Quod non apparet, non est – What does not appear, is not.
He who does not prohibit when he is able to prohibit, is in fault.
Quod non habet principium non habet finem – What has no
Qui peccat ebrius, luat sobrius – He who does wrong when beginning has no end.
drunk must be punished when sober.
Quod per me non possum, nec per alium – What I cannot do
Qui potest et debet vetare et non vetat jubet – He who is able through myself, I cannot do through another.
and ought to forbit and does not, commands.
Quod prius est verius est; et quod prius est tempore potius
Qui prior est tempore potior est jure – He who is prior in time is est jure – What is first is more true; and what is prior in time is
stronger in right. stronger in law.
Quod vanum et inutile est, lex non requirit – The law does not Rex non debet judicare sed secundum legem – The King ought
require what is vain and useless. not to judge but according to the law.

Quoties in verbis nulla est ambiguitas, ibi nulla expositio Rex non potest peccare – The King can do no wrong.
contra verba expressa fienda est – When there is no ambiguity
in words, then no exposition contrary to the expressed words is to Rex nunquma moritur – The King never dies.
be made.
Rex quod injustum est facere non potest – The King cannot do
Ratio est legis anima, mutata legis ratione mutatur et lex – what is unjust.
Reason is the soul of the law; when the reason of the law changes
the law also is changed. Salus populi est suprema lex – The safety of the people is the
supreme law.
Re – In the matter of.
Sciens – Knowingly.
Reprobata pecunia leberat solventem – Money refused releases
the debtor. Scienter – Knowingly.

Res – Matter, affair, thing, circumstance. Scire facias – That you cause to know.

Res gestae – Things done. Scribere est agere – To write is to act.

Res integra – A matter untouched (by decision). Se defendendo – In self defence.

Res inter alios acta alteri nocere non debet – Things done Secus – The legal position is different, it is otherwise.
between strangers ought not to affect a third person, who is a
stranger to the transaction.
Semper praesumitur pro legitimatione puerorum – Everything
is presumed in favor of the legitimacy of children.
Res judicata accipitur pro veritate – A thing adjudged is
accepted for the truth.
Semper pro matriomonio praesumitur – It is always presumed
in favor of marriage.
Res nulis – Nobodys property.
Sententia interlocutoria revocari potest, definitiva non
Respondeat superior – Let the principal answer. potest – An interlocutory order can be revoked, a final order cannot
be.
Rex est major singulis, minor universis – The King is greater
than individuals, less than all the people.
Servitia personalia sequuntur personam – Personal services Suppressio veri expressio falsi – A suppression of truth is
follow the person. equivalent to an expression of falsehood.

Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas – So use your own as not to Talis qualis – Such as it is.
injure anothers property.
Terra firma – Solid ground.
Simplex commendatio non obligat – A simple recommendation
does not bind. Testamenta latissimam interpretationem habere debent –
Testaments ought to have the broadest interpretation.
Stare decisis – To stand by decisions (precedents).
Traditio loqui chartam facit – Delivery makes a deed speak.
Stet – Do not delete, let it stand.
Transit terra cum onere – The land passes with its burden.
Sub modo – Within limits.
Ubi eadem ratio ibi idem jus, et de similibus idem est
Sub nomine – Under the name of. judicium – When there is the same reason, then the law is the
same, and the same judgment should be rendered as to similar
Sub silentio – In silence. things.

Sublata causa, tollitur effectus – The cause being removed, the Ubi jus ibi remedium est – Where there is a right there is a
effect ceases. remedy.

Sublato fundamento, cadit opus – The foundation being Ubi non est principalis, non potest esse accessorius – Where
removed, the structure falls. there is no principal, there can be no accessory.

Subsequens matrimonium tollit peccatum praecedens – A Ubi nullum matrimonium, ibi nulla dos es – Where there is no
subsequent marriage removes the preceding wrong. marriage, there is no dower.

Suggestio falsi – The suggestion of something which is untrue. Ultima voluntas testatoris est perimplenda secundum veram
intentionem suam – The last will of a testator is to be fulfilled
Sui generis – Unique. according to his true intentio.

Summa ratio est quae pro religione facit – The highest reason Ut poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes, perveniat – That
is that which makes for religion, i.e. religion dictates. punishment may come to a few, the fear of it should affect all.

Suppressio veri – The suppression of the truth.

Utile per inutile non vitiatur – What is useful is not vitiated by Voluntas in delictis non exitus spectatur – In offences the
the useless. intent and not the result is looked at.

Verba chartarum fortius accipiuntur contra preferentem – Voluntas reputatur pro facto – The will is taken for the deed.
The words of deeds are accepted more strongly against the person
offering them.

Verba debent intelligi cum effectu – Words ought to be

understood with effect.

Verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire – Words

ought to serve the intention, not the reverse.

Verbatim – Word by word, exactly.

Vi et armis – With the force and arms.

Via antiqua via est tuta – The old way is the safe way.

Vice versa – The other way around.

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.