This document contains definitions for various legal maxims and Latin phrases used in law. Some of the key ones defined include: - Actus reus - A guilty deed or act. - Actionable per se - The very act is punishable and no proof of damage is required. - Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea - The act does not make one guilty unless there be a criminal intent. - Audi alteram partem - Hear the other side. - Caveat emptor - Let the purchaser beware. - Ignorantia juris non excusat - Ignorance of the law excuses not or Ignorance

1. LEGAL
MAXIMS

2. ACTUS REUS
A guilty deed or
act
ACTIONABLE
PER SE
The very act is
punishable and no
proof of damage is
required

3. • The act does not make one guilty unless there be a criminal
intent
ACTUS NON FACIT REUM NISI MENS SIT
REA
• Hear the other side
AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM

4. AMICUS CURIAE
• A friend of court or member of the Bar who is
appointed to assist the court
BONA FIDE
• In good faith

5. CAVEAT EMPTOR
Let the purchaser beware
CONSENSUS AD
IDEM
Meeting of the minds

6. DOLI INCAPAX
Incapable of crime (minor)
ESTOPPEL
Prevented from denying

7. EX PARTE
Proceeding brought by one
person in the absence of
another
FORCE MAJEURE
Circumstances beyond one’s
control, irresistible force or
compulsion

8. IPSO FACTO
• By that very fact
IGNORANTIA JURIS NON EXCUSAT
• Ignorance of the law excuses not or Ignorance of
the law excuses no one

9. JUS
A right that is recognised in
law
LEX FORI
Law of the place where the
cases been heard

10. MALA FIDE
In bad faith
MENS REA
Guilty state of mind

11. NEMO DEBET ESSE
JUDEX IN PROPRIA
CAUSA
No one can be
judge in his own
case
OBITER DICTUM
Things said by the way. It is
generally used in law to
refer to an opinion or non-
necessary remark made by a
judge. It does not act as a
precedent

12. PRIMA FACIE
On the face of it
QUI FACIT PER
ALIUM, FACIT PER SE
He who acts through another
acts himself

13. RATIO DECIDENDI
Principle or reason
underlying a court
judgement. or The rule of law
on which a judicial decision is
based
RESPONDEAT
SUPERIOR
Let the master answer

14. STARE
DECISIS
To stand by decisions (precedents)
RES
JUDICATA
A thing adjudged is accepted for the truth

15. •State of things
as they are now
STATUS
QUO
•On its own
motion
SUO
MOTO

16. ULTRA VIRES
Outside the powers
UBI JUS IBI
REMEDIUM
Where there is a right there is
a remedy

17. VOID
of no legal effect
VOLENTI NON FIT
INJURIA
An injury is not done to a
person consenting to it