Most Used Legal Maxims, Translation and Meanings with easy explanation that everyone needs to know. Legal Maxim of the Day. These legal maxims are useful for lawyers, business owners, and more.
The law is often described as “a body of rules.” But in reality, the law is much broader than that. It includes principles, precedents, and maxims. Maxims are concise statements of general principles that apply to many situations. They’re also called “legal maxims” because they’re used by judges and lawyers to explain how the law works.
They will help you avoid common mistakes and pitfalls when dealing with contracts, negotiations, and other legal matters.
Here’s an example of a legal maxim: “The law favours the vigilant and not those who sleep upon their rights.” This means that people should take care to protect themselves against potential risks. If you do nothing, you might lose your right to sue someone else for damages.
Term- suppressio veri Translation- suppression of the truth Definition- Willful concealment of the truth when bound to reveal it, such as withholding details of damage from an auto accident from a prospective buyer of the car in that accident. “Suppressio veri” is a Latin term that means “suppression of truth.” In a legal context, it …
Term- locus standi Translation- Place of standing Definition- The right of a party to appear and be heard before a court. “Locus standi” is a Latin term that means “standing to sue” or “the right to bring an action in court.” In a legal context, it refers to the legal interest or right that a …
Term- suo moto Translation- of its own motion Definition- Refers to a court or other official agency taking some action on its own accord. Similar to sua sponte. “Suo moto” is a Latin term that means “on its own motion.” In a legal context, the term is often used to describe a situation where a …
Term- terra nullius Translation- no one’s land Definition- Land that has never been part of a sovereign state, or land which a sovereign state has relinquished claim to. “Terra nullius” is a Latin term that means “land belonging to no one.” In a legal context, the term is often used to describe territory that is …
Term- sine die Translation- without day Definition- Used when the court is adjourning without specifying a date to re-convene. “Sine die” is a Latin term that means “without a day,” and it is often used in a legal context to indicate that a session of a legislative body or court has been adjourned indefinitely, without …
Term- res ipsa loquitur Translation- the thing speaks for itself Definition- used in tort law when there is no proof of what caused the harm, but it is most likely only the thing that could have caused the harm “Res ipsa loquitur” is a Latin legal term that means “the thing speaks for itself.” It …
Term- obiter dictum Translation- a thing said in passing Definition- in law, an observation by a judge on some point of law not directly relevant to the case before him, and thus neither requiring his decision nor serving as a precedent, but nevertheless of persuasive authority. In general, any comment, remark or observation made in …
Legal Maxim/Term- ab initioTranslation- from the beginningDefinition- Commonly used referring to the time a contract, statute, marriage, or deed become legal. e.g. The family was covered ab initio by her Mediclaim.” “Ab initio” is a Latin legal term that means “from the beginning.” The term is commonly used in legal proceedings and refers to the …
