Most Used Legal Maxims, Translation and Meanings

Literal Meaning – On the plaintiff rests the proving. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff. “Actori incumbit probatio” is a Latin legal maxim that means “the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff.” This principle is an important aspect of the legal system in common law jurisdictions such as the United States and […]

Literal Meaning – Equity follows the law. It is a concept that equity or the law will not aid a person or party who is at fault. The law will not aid a person whose own fault is what made the legal action necessary. It is interpreted as to law is about what is fair and

Literal Meaning – Owner of riot. The master of the suit; i.e. the person who was really and directly interested in the suit as a party, as distinguished from his attorney or advocate. But the term is also applied to one who, though not originally a party, has made himself such, by intervention or otherwise,

Literal Meaning – Let it be given to more worthy. Where the Crown’s right and that of a subject meet at one and the same time, that of the Crown is in general preferred, the rule being ‘detur digniori’ “Detur Digniori” is a Latin maxim that translates to “Let it be given to the more

Literal Meaning – Right to the point. A personal right to possession of property that usually arises from a contractual obligation (as a lease). A right without possession; an inchoate or incomplete right to a thing. In the field of law, legal maxims are often used to guide the interpretation and application of legal principles.

Literal Meaning – Not with standing the verdict. When a judge decides to set aside the final decision because she feels the verdict is not reasonably supported by the facts or the law. “As a parenthetical note, we point out that judgment n.o.v. literally means judgment non obstante verdicto “Non obstante verdicto” is a Latin legal maxim