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Volenti non fit injuria is a Latin legal maxim that literally means “to a willing person, no injury is done”. In plain words: if you knowingly and freely accept a risk, you cannot later sue the person who exposed you to that risk…

Respondeat superior is a Latin maxim, usually rendered in English as “let the master answer” (our rendering). It is the rule of vicarious liability: an employer (the “master”) is liable for a wrong done by an employee (the “servant”) while acting in the…

Audi alteram partem is a Latin legal maxim meaning “hear the other side”. Those are the Supreme Court’s own words: in Union of India v. Tulsiram Patel (1985) the Constitution Bench described the second rule of natural justice as “audi alteram partem”, that…

Ultra vires is a Latin legal term meaning “beyond the powers”. In law it describes an act done by a company, a government authority or even a legislature that goes outside the power the law gives it. The opposite is intra vires, “within…

Ratio decidendi (Latin for “the reason for deciding”) is the principle of law on which a court actually decides a case. The Supreme Court of India puts it this way: “The only thing in a Judge’s decision binding a party is the principle…

Pro tanto is a Latin phrase meaning “to that extent” or “for so much”. In law it says that something takes effect only as far as a particular part, amount or conflict goes, and no further. A law that is “void pro tanto”…