| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Actio personalis moritur cum persona | A personal action dies with the person. |
| 2. | Actus curiae neminem gravabit | An act of the court shall prejudice no one. |
| 3. | Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea | The act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty. |
| 4. | Actus me invito factus non est meus actus | An act done against my will is not my act. |
| 5. | Actus legis nemini est damnosus | An act of law harms no one. |
| 6. | Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale | The accessory does not lead but follows its principal. |
| 7. | Accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo | No one is bound to accuse himself except before God. |
| 8. | Accusator post rationabile tempus non est audiendus | An accuser is not to be heard after an unreasonable delay. |
| 9. | Actio non accrevit infra sex annos | The right of action did not accrue within six years. |
| 10. | Actus judicialis coram non judice irritus habetur | A judicial act done before a person not a judge is void. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Benigne faciendae sunt interpretationes chartarum ut res magis valeat quam pereat | Documents should be interpreted liberally so that they may be effective rather than void. |
| 2. | Bona fide | In good faith; honestly. |
| 3. | Bona fide possessor in tantum quantum rem possidet praesumitur dominus | A possessor in good faith is presumed to be the owner to the extent of his possession. |
| 4. | Bona fides non patitur ut bis idem exigatur | Good faith does not permit the same thing to be demanded twice. |
| 5. | Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem | It is the duty of a good judge to extend justice (interpret jurisdiction broadly to do justice). |
| 6. | Boni judicis est causas litium dirimere | It is the duty of a good judge to settle disputes. |
| 7. | Boni judicis est lites dirimere ne lis ex lite oriatur | A good judge prevents litigation from giving rise to further litigation. |
| 8. | Boni judicis est judicare secundum allegata et probata | A good judge decides according to what is alleged and proved. |
| 9. | Boni judicis est ampliare justitiam | It is the duty of a good judge to enlarge justice. |
| 10. | Boni judicis est causas litium breviter dirimere | It is the duty of a good judge to decide disputes promptly |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Caveat emptor | Let the buyer beware. |
| 2. | Caveat venditor | Let the seller beware. |
| 3. | Causa causae est causa causati | The cause of a cause is the cause of the effect. |
| 4. | Causa proxima non remota spectatur | The immediate cause is considered, not the remote cause. |
| 5. | Cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex | When the reason for the law ceases, the law itself ceases. |
| 6. | Cessante causa cessat effectus | When the cause ceases, the effect ceases. |
| 7. | Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur | No one is punished for mere thoughts. |
| 8. | Communis error facit jus | Common error makes law. |
| 9. | Consensus ad idem | Agreement to the same thing; meeting of minds. |
| 10. | Consuetudo est altera lex | Custom is another law. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Damnum sine injuria | Damage without legal injury; loss that does not give rise to a legal remedy. |
| 2. | De minimis non curat lex | The law does not concern itself with trifles. |
| 3. | Delegatus non potest delegare | A delegate cannot further delegate. |
| 4. | Dura lex sed lex | The law is harsh, but it is the law. |
| 5. | Dies dominicus non est juridicus | Sunday is not a court day. |
| 6. | Dies non juridicus | A day not appointed for legal proceedings. |
| 7. | Dormientibus jura subveniunt | The law assists those who are vigilant, not those who sleep over their rights. |
| 8. | Dolus non praesumitur | Fraud is not presumed. |
| 9. | Dolus circuitu non purgatur | Fraud is not purged by circuity. |
| 10. | Duo non possunt in solidum unam rem possidere | Two persons cannot possess the same thing exclusively at the same time. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ex turpi causa non oritur actio | No action arises from an immoral or illegal cause. |
| 2. | Ex dolo malo non oritur actio | No right of action arises from fraud. |
| 3. | Ex nihilo nihil fit | Nothing comes from nothing. |
| 4. | Ex facie | On the face of it; from the appearance. |
| 5. | Ex gratia | As a matter of favour, not as a legal obligation. |
| 6. | Ex post facto | After the fact. |
| 7. | Ex nudo pacto non oritur actio | No action arises from a bare agreement without consideration. |
| 8. | Expressio unius est exclusio alterius | The express mention of one thing excludes others. |
| 9. | Ex abundanti cautela | Out of abundant caution. |
| 10. | Ex debito justitiae | As a matter of right; from a duty of justice. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Facta sunt potentiora verbis | Deeds are more powerful than words. |
| 2. | Factum valet | The deed is valid. |
| 3. | Falsa demonstratio non nocet | A false description does not vitiate if the subject is otherwise certain. |
| 4. | Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus | False in one thing, false in everything. |
| 5. | Fiat justitia ruat caelum | Let justice be done though the heavens fall. |
| 6. | Forma legalis forma essentialis | Legal form is essential form. |
| 7. | Forma non observata infertur adnullatio actus | Failure to observe required form leads to invalidity of the act. |
| 8. | Frustra legis auxilium quaerit qui in legem committit | He seeks the aid of the law in vain who offends against it. |
| 9. | Fraus et jus nunquam cohabitant | Fraud and justice never dwell together. |
| 10. | Fraus omnia corrumpit | Fraud vitiates everything. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Generalia specialibus non derogant | General things do not derogate from special things. |
| 2. | Generalibus specialia derogant | Special provisions override general provisions. |
| 3. | Generalis clausula non porrigitur ad ea quae antea specialiter sunt comprehensa | A general clause does not extend to matters previously specifically dealt with. |
| 4. | Generalis regula generaliter est intelligenda | A general rule is to be understood generally. |
| 5. | Generale nihil certum implicat | General expressions imply nothing certain. |
| 6. | Genus nunquam perit | A genus never perishes (generic things are not destroyed). |
| 7. | Gravabit (as in “Actus curiae neminem gravabit”) | The court’s act shall prejudice no one. |
| 8. | Gratuitum non debet esse onerosum | That which is given freely ought not to be burdensome. |
| 9. | Graviora quaedam sunt levioribus praeferrenda | More serious matters are to be preferred over lighter ones. |
| 10. | Gratia non est obligatio | A favour is not a legal obligation. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Habet jurisdictionem qui cognoscit causam | He who has authority to decide a cause has jurisdiction. |
| 2. | Haeres est pars antecessoris | The heir is a continuation of the predecessor. |
| 3. | Haeres non tenetur ultra vires hereditatis | An heir is not liable beyond the value of the inherited property. |
| 4. | Haeres vivit in antecessore | The heir lives in the ancestor. |
| 5. | Hominum causa omne jus constitutum est | All law is made for the benefit of human beings. |
| 6. | Honeste vivere, alterum non laedere, suum cuique tribuere | Live honestly, injure no one, and give to each his due. |
| 7. | Honestior semper praeferendus est | The more worthy person is always to be preferred. |
| 8. | Humanum est errare | To err is human. |
| 9. | Humanum est errare, perseverare autem diabolicum | To err is human; to persist in error is diabolical. |
| 10. | Honor est praemium virtutis | Honour is the reward of virtue. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ignorantia juris non excusat | Ignorance of law is no excuse. |
| 2. | Ignorantia facti excusat | Ignorance of fact excuses. |
| 3. | Injuria sine damno | Legal injury without actual damage. |
| 4. | In pari delicto potior est conditio defendentis | In equal fault, the position of the defendant is stronger. |
| 5. | In dubio pro reo | When in doubt, favour the accused. |
| 6. | In rem | Against the thing; applicable to the world at large. |
| 7. | In personam | Against a person; binding on a specific individual. |
| 8. | In limine | At the threshold; at the very beginning. |
| 9. | In loco parentis | In the place of a parent. |
| 10. | Interest reipublicae ut sit finis litium | It is in the interest of the State that litigation must come to an end. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jura novit curia | The court knows the law. |
| 2. | Jus dicere, non jus dare | To declare the law, not to make the law. |
| 3. | Jus est ars boni et aequi | Law is the art of what is good and just. |
| 4. | Jus naturale est quod natura omnia animalia docuit | Natural law is what nature has taught all living beings. |
| 5. | Jus publicum privatorum pactis mutari non potest | Public law cannot be altered by private agreements. |
| 6. | Jus civile vigilantibus scriptum est | The civil law is written for the vigilant. |
| 7. | Jus non habenti tute non paretur | He who has no right cannot be safely obeyed. |
| 8. | Jus accrescendi inter mercatores locum non habet | The right of survivorship does not apply among merchants. |
| 9. | Jus est norma recti | Law is the rule of right. |
| 10. | Judex non potest esse testis in propria causa | A judge cannot be a witness in his own cause. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | King can do no wrong | The sovereign is not legally liable for wrongdoing. |
| 2. | King’s act shall prejudice no man | An act of the Crown should not harm a subject. |
| 3. | Knowledge is power (in legal context) | Awareness of rights strengthens legal position. |
| 4. | Knowledge of law binds all | Everyone is presumed to know the law. |
| 5. | Knowledge without authority is insufficient | Mere awareness does not create legal power. |
| 6. | Keeping silence implies consent (Qui tacet consentire videtur) | Silence can imply consent. |
| 7. | Keeping possession is evidence of ownership | Possession suggests title unless disproved. |
| 8. | Known certainty prevails over ambiguity | Clear facts override doubtful interpretations. |
| 9. | Known rights cannot be arbitrarily taken away | Established rights must be protected. |
| 10. | Known intention governs the act | The intention behind an act determines its legal effect. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lex non cogit ad impossibilia | The law does not compel a person to do what is impossible. |
| 2. | Lex loci rei sitae | The law of the place where the property is situated. |
| 3. | Lex loci contractus | The law of the place where the contract is made. |
| 4. | Lex fori | The law of the forum (the court where the case is heard). |
| 5. | Lex talionis | The law of retaliation (an eye for an eye). |
| 6. | Lex prospicit non respicit | The law looks forward, not backward. |
| 7. | Lex semper dabit remedium | The law will always provide a remedy. |
| 8. | Lex uno ore omnes alloquitur | The law speaks to all with one voice. |
| 9. | Lex neminem cogit ad vana seu inutilia peragenda | The law compels no one to do useless acts. |
| 10. | Locus regit actum | The place governs the act. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mens rea | A guilty mind; intention to commit a crime. |
| 2. | Modus operandi | The method of working or operating. |
| 3. | Modus et conventio vincunt legem | Custom and agreement override the law. |
| 4. | Mala fide | In bad faith; dishonestly. |
| 5. | Malitiis non est indulgendum | Malice ought not to be indulged. |
| 6. | Melior est conditio possidentis | The condition of the possessor is the better one. |
| 7. | Minime mutanda sunt quae certam habuerunt interpretationem | Things once settled by interpretation should not be disturbed. |
| 8. | Misera est servitus ubi jus est vagum aut incognitum | It is a miserable state where the law is vague or unknown. |
| 9. | Mobilia sequuntur personam | Movable property follows the person (law of domicile applies). |
| 10. | Mutatis mutandis | With necessary changes having been made. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nemo judex in causa sua | No one should be a judge in his own cause. |
| 2. | Nemo dat quod non habet | No one can give what he does not have. |
| 3. | Nemo debet bis vexari pro eadem causa | No one should be vexed twice for the same cause. |
| 4. | Nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare | No one is bound to accuse himself. |
| 5. | Nemo moriturus praesumitur mentire | A person on the verge of death is not presumed to lie. |
| 6. | Nemo potest esse simul actor et judex | No one can be both a suitor and a judge at the same time. |
| 7. | Nemo potest mutare consilium suum in alterius injuriam | No one can change his purpose to the injury of another. |
| 8. | Nemo est supra leges | No one is above the law. |
| 9. | Nemo debet locupletari ex aliena jactura | No one should be enriched at another’s loss. |
| 10. | Nemo potest plus juris transferre quam ipse habet | No one can transfer a better title than he himself has. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Obiter dictum | A statement made in passing by a judge, not binding as precedent. |
| 2. | Omnia praesumuntur rite esse acta | All things are presumed to have been done correctly. |
| 3. | Omnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem | All things are presumed against a wrongdoer. |
| 4. | Omnis ratihabitio retrotrahitur et mandato priori aequiparatur | Every ratification relates back and is equivalent to prior authority. |
| 5. | Omnis innovatio plus novitatis quam utilitatis affert | Every innovation brings more novelty than benefit. |
| 6. | Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit | The burden of proof lies on the one who asserts. |
| 7. | Onus probandi incumbit actori | The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff. |
| 8. | Optima est lex quae minimum relinquit arbitrio judicis | The best law leaves the least discretion to the judge. |
| 9. | Optimus judex qui minimum sibi (arbitrium sumit) | The best judge is one who assumes the least discretion. |
| 10. | Ordinem servare est juris | To preserve order is a principle of law. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pacta sunt servanda | Agreements must be kept. |
| 2. | Pari materia | On the same subject matter. |
| 3. | Par in parem non habet imperium | An equal has no authority over an equal. |
| 4. | Per incuriam | Through lack of care; a decision given in ignorance of a binding authority. |
| 5. | Prima facie | At first sight; based on initial impression. |
| 6. | Pro bono publico | For the public good. |
| 7. | Pro rata | In proportion. |
| 8. | Pro tanto | To that extent. |
| 9. | Possessio est quasi pedis positio | Possession is like a foothold. |
| 10. | Potestas delegata non potest delegari | Delegated authority cannot be further delegated. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Qui facit per alium facit per se | He who acts through another does the act himself. |
| 2. | Qui non habet potestatem alienandi, alienare non potest | He who has no power to transfer cannot transfer. |
| 3. | Qui prior est tempore potior est jure | He who is earlier in time is stronger in law. |
| 4. | Qui sentit commodum sentire debet et onus | He who enjoys the benefit must also bear the burden. |
| 5. | Qui tacet consentire videtur | He who is silent is taken to consent. |
| 6. | Qui approbat non reprobat | He who approves cannot later disapprove. |
| 7. | Qui peccat ebrius luat sobrius | He who sins when drunk must be punished when sober. |
| 8. | Qui facit per alium est perinde ac si faciat per se ipsum | He who acts through another is deemed to act himself. |
| 9. | Quod ab initio non valet in tractu temporis non convalescit | What is void from the beginning does not become valid over time. |
| 10. | Quod nullum est nullum producit effectum | That which is null produces no effect. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Res judicata pro veritate accipitur | A thing adjudicated is accepted as true. |
| 2. | Res ipsa loquitur | The thing speaks for itself. |
| 3. | Res inter alios acta alteri nocere non debet | A transaction between others should not harm a third party. |
| 4. | Res nullius cedit primo occupanti | A thing belonging to no one belongs to the first occupier. |
| 5. | Res perit domino | The loss falls on the owner. |
| 6. | Respondeat superior | Let the superior be liable. |
| 7. | Ratio decidendi | The reason for deciding a case. |
| 8. | Rex non potest peccare | The king can do no wrong. |
| 9. | Reus in excipiendo fit actor | The defendant becomes a plaintiff when raising a defence. |
| 10. | Reddendo singula singulis | Referring each to each; distributing things to their proper subjects. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Salus populi suprema lex | The welfare of the people is the supreme law. |
| 2. | Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas | Use your property so as not to injure others. |
| 3. | Stare decisis et non quieta movere | To stand by decisions and not disturb settled matters. |
| 4. | Sublato fundamento cadit opus | Remove the foundation, and the structure falls. |
| 5. | Specialia generalibus derogant | Special provisions override general provisions. |
| 6. | Suppressio veri suggestio falsi | Suppression of truth is equivalent to suggestion of falsehood. |
| 7. | Summum jus summa injuria | Extreme law is extreme injustice. |
| 8. | Semper necessitas probandi incumbit ei qui agit | The burden of proof always lies on the one who asserts. |
| 9. | Servitus in faciendo consistere nequit | A servitude cannot consist in doing something. |
| 10. | Scienter facit qui ex voluntate facit | He acts knowingly who acts voluntarily. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Turpi causa non oritur actio | No action arises from a disgraceful or immoral cause. |
| 2. | Transactus nullam habet vim nisi consensus intercesserit | A transaction has no force unless there is consent. |
| 3. | Tempus regit actum | Time governs the act. |
| 4. | Tempus fugit | Time flies. |
| 5. | Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis | Times change, and we change with them. |
| 6. | Temporis filia veritas | Truth is the daughter of time. |
| 7. | Tempus edax rerum | Time is the devourer of all things. |
| 8. | Tres faciunt collegium | Three persons make a corporation. |
| 9. | Traditio nihil aliud est quam rei corporalis de persona in personam de manu in manum datio | Delivery is the transfer of a tangible thing from one person to another. |
| 10. | Tutela est vis legis | Protection is the force of law. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ubi jus ibi remedium | Where there is a right, there is a remedy. |
| 2. | Ubi aliquid conceditur, conceditur et id sine quo res ipsa esse non potest | When anything is granted, that is also granted without which the thing cannot exist. |
| 3. | Ubi eadem ratio ibi idem jus | Where there is the same reason, there is the same law. |
| 4. | Ubi lex non distinguit, nec nos distinguere debemus | Where the law does not distinguish, we ought not to distinguish. |
| 5. | Ubi remedium ibi jus | Where there is a remedy, there is a right. |
| 6. | Ubi societas ibi jus | Where there is society, there is law. |
| 7. | Ubi jus incertum, ibi jus nullum | Where the law is uncertain, there is no law. |
| 8. | Ubi cessat remedium, cessat jus | Where the remedy ceases, the right also ceases. |
| 9. | Ubi culpa est, ibi poena subesse debet | Where there is fault, there must be punishment. |
| 10. | Ubi non est lex, ibi non est transgressio | Where there is no law, there is no transgression. |
| S.No. | Legal Maxim | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Volenti non fit injuria | To a willing person, no injury is done. |
| 2. | Vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt | The law assists those who are vigilant, not those who sleep over their rights. |
| 3. | Vox populi vox Dei | The voice of the people is the voice of God. |
| 4. | Verba ita sunt intelligenda ut res magis valeat quam pereat | Words are to be understood so that the thing may have effect rather than fail. |
| 5. | Verba accipienda sunt secundum subjectam materiam | Words are to be interpreted according to the subject matter. |
| 6. | Verba fortius accipiuntur contra proferentem | Words are to be taken most strongly against the person who uses them. |
| 7. | Veritas nunquam perit | Truth never perishes. |
| 8. | Vinculum juris | A bond of legal obligation. |
| 9. | Vis major | An irresistible force; act of God. |
| 10. | Voluntas legis suprema lex | The intention of the law is the supreme law. |