Kathryn P.

Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
LATIN LEGAL MAXIMS
A
A mensa et thoro - From bed and board.
A vinculo matrimonii - From the bond of matrimony.
Ab extra - From outside.
Ab initio - From the beginning.
Absoluta sententia expositore non indiget - An absolute judgment needs no expositor.
Abundans cautela non nocet - Abundant caution does no harm.
Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale - An accessory does not draw, but
follows its principal.
Accessorius sequitur - One who is an accessory to the crime cannot be guilty of a more
serious crime than the principal offender.
Acta exteriora iudicant interiora secreta - Outward acts indicate the inward intent.
Actio non accrevit infra sex annos - The action has not accrued within six years.
Actio non datur non damnificato - An action is not given to one who is not injured.
Actio personalis moritur cum persona - A personal action dies with the person.
Actiones legis - Law suits.
Actori incumbit onus probandi - The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff.
Actus nemini facit injuriam - The act of the law does no one wrong.
Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea - The act does not mae one guilty unless there be a
criminal intent.
Actus reus - A guilty deed or act.
Ad ea quae frequentius acciduunt jura adaptantur ! The laws are adapted to those cases
which occur more fre"uently.
Ad hoc - For this purpose.
Ad infinitum - Forever, without limit, to infinity.
Ad perpetuam rei memoriam - For a perpetual memorial of the matter.
Ad quaestionem facti non respondent judices; ad quaestionem legis non respondent
juratores - The judges do not answer to a "uestion of fact# the jury do not answer to a "uestion
of Law.
Aedificare in tuo proprio solo non licet quod alteri noceat - $t is not lawful to build on one%s
own land what may be injurious to another.
Aequitas legem sequitur - &"uity follows the law.
Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem - &"uity never contradicts the law.
Alibi - At another place, elsewhere.
Alienatio rei praefertur juri accrescendi - Alienation is preferred by law rather than
accumulation.
Aliunde - From elsewhere, or, from a different source
Allegans contraria non est audiendus - One maing contradictory statements is not to be
heard.
Allegans suam turpitudinem non est audiendus - One alleging his own infamy is not to be
heard.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
Allegatio contra factum non est admittenda - An allegation contrary to a deed is not to be
heard.
Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est - An ambiguity is most strongly construed against the
party using it.
Ambiguitas verborum patens nulla verificatione excluditur - A patent ambiguity is never
helped by averment.
Amicus curiae - A friend of the 'ourt.
Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem - The laws of &ngland are favorable in
every case to liberty.
Animo furandi - (ith an intention of stealing.
Animo testandi - (ith an intention of maing a will.
Annus luctus - The year of mourning.
Ante - )efore.
Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere solebat - (ater runs and ought to run.
Arbitrium est judicium - An award is a judgment.
Arbor dum crescit; lignum cum crescere nescit - A tree while it grows, wood when it cannot
grow.
Argumentum ab auctoritate fortissimum est in lege - An argument drawn from authority is
the strongest in law.
Argumentum ab impossibilii plurimum valet in lege - An argument from impossibility is
very strong in law.
Argumentum ad hominem - An argument directed at the person.
Argumentum ad ignoratiam - An argument based upon ignorance *i.e. of one%s adversary+.
Arma in armatos sumere jura sinunt - The laws permit the taing up of arms against the
armed.
Assentio mentium - The meeting of minds, i.e. mutual assent.
Assignatus utitur jure auctoris - An assignee is clothed with rights of his assignor.
Audi alteram partem - ,ear the other side.
Aula regis - The -ing%s 'ourt.
B
Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus seu dubiis est preferenda - The more favorable
construction is to be placed on general or doubtful words.
Bis dat qui cito dat - ,e gives *pays+ twice who pays promptly.
Bona fide - .incere, in good faith
Bona vacantia - /oods without an owner
Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem ! $t is the part of a good judge to enlarge his
jurisdiction, i.e. remedial authority.
Boni judicis est judicium sine dilatione mandare executioni - $t is the duty of a good judge
to cause execution to issue on a judgment without delay.
2
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
Boni judicis lites dirimere est - $t is the duty of a good judge to prevent litigation.
Bonus judex secundum aequum et bonum judicat et aequitatem stricto juri praefert - A
good judge decides according to justice and right and prefers e"uity to strict law.
Breve judiciale non cadit pro defectu formae - A judicial writing does not fail through
defect of form.
C
Cadit quaestio - The matter admits of no further argument.
Cassetur billa (breve - Let the writ be "uashed.
Casus fortuitus non est spectandus; et nemo tenetur divinare - A fortuitous event is not to
be foreseen and no person is bound to divine it.
Catalla reputantur inter minima in lege - 'hattels are considered in law among the minor
things.
Causa proxima, non remota spectatur - The immediate, and not the remote cause is to be
considered.
Caveat emptor - Let the purchaser beware.
Caveat venditor - Let the seller beware.
Cepi corpus et est languidum - $ have taen the body and the prisoner is sic.
Cepi corpus et paratum habeo - $ have taen the body and have it ready.
Ceteris paribus - Other things being e"ual.
Consensu - 0nanimously or, by general consent.
Consensus ad idem - Agreement as to the same things.
Consuetudo loci observanda est - The custom of the place is to be observed.
Contemporanea expositio est optima et fortissima in lege - A contemporaneous exposition
is best and most powerful in law.
Contra ! To the contrary.
3
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
Contra bonos mores - Against good morals.
Contra non valentem agere nulla currit praescriptio - 1o prescription runs against a person
not able to act.
Contractus est quasi actus contra actum - A contract is an act as it were against an act.
Conventio et modus vincunt legem - A contract and agreement overcome the law.
Conventio privatorum non potest publico juri derogare - An agreement of private persons
cannot derogate from public right.
Coram !omino "ege - $n the presence of our Lord the -ing.
Coram non judice - )efore one who is not a judge.
Corpus - )ody.
Corpus delicti - The body, i.e. the gist of crime.
Corpus humanum non recipit aestimationem - A human body is not susceptible of
appraisement.
Crescente malitia crescere debet et poena - 2ice increasing, punishment ought also to
increase.
Crimen omnia ex se nata vitiat - 'rime vitiates every thing, which springs from it.
Crimen trahit personam - The crime carries the person.
Cujus est dare, ejus est disponere - ,e who has a right to give has the right to dispose of the
gift.
Cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad coelam; et ad inferos - ,e who owns the soil owns it up
to the sy# and to its depth.
Cum duo inter se pugnantia reperiuntur in testamentis ultimum ratum est - (hen two
things repugnant to each other are found in a will, the last is to be confirmed.
Cursus curiae est lex curiae - The practice of the court is the law of the court.
Custos morum - A guardian of morals.
!
4
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
!amnum sine injuria - damage without legal injury.
!e bonis asportatis - Of goods carried away.
!e bonis non administratis - Of goods not administered.
!e die in diem - From day to day.
!e facto - $n fact.
!e futuro - $n the future.
!e integro ! As regards the whole.
!e jure - 3ightful, by right.
!e minimis lex non curat - The law does not notice trifling matters.
!e novo - .tarting afresh.
!ebile fundamentum fallit opus - (here there is a wea foundation, the wor fails.
4ebita se"uuntur personam debitoria ! 4ebts follow the person of the debtor.
!ebitor non praesumitur donare - A debtor is not presumed to mae a gift.
!ebitum et contractus sunt nullius loci - 4ebt and contract are of no particular place.
!ebitum in praesenti, solvendum in futuro - A present debt is to be discharged in the future.
!elegata potestas non potest delegari - A delegated authority cannot be again delegated.
!erivativa potestas non potest esse major primitiva - The power which is derived cannot be
greater than that from which it is derived.
!eus solus haeredem facere potest, non homo - /od alone, not man, can mae an heir.
!ies !ominicus non est juridicus - .unday is not a day in law.
!iscretio est discernere per legem quid sit justum - 4iscretion is to discern through law
what is just.
!oli incapax - $ncapable of crime.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
!ominium - Ownership.
!omus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium - &very man s house is his safest refuge.
!ona clandestina sunt semper suspiciosa - 'landestine gifts are always suspicious.
!ormiunt leges aliquando, nunquam moriuntur - The laws sometimes sleep, but never die.
!oti lex favet; praemium pudoris est; ideo parcatur - The law favors dower# it is the reward
of chastity, therefore let it be preserved.
!ubitante - 4oubting the correctness of the decision.
!uo non possunt in solido unam rem possidere - Two cannot possess one thing each in
entirety.
#
#i incumbit probatio qui - The onus of proving a fact rests upon the man.
#i incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat - The burden of the proof lies upon him who
affirms, not he who denies.
#rror, qui non resistitur approbatur - An error not resisted is approved.
#t cetera - Other things of that type.
#x cathedra - (ith official authority.
#x concessis ! $n view of what has already been accepted5
#x dolo malo actio non oritur - A right of action cannot arise out of fraud.
#x facie - On the fact of it.
#x gratia - Out of indness, voluntary.
#x nihilo nil fit - From nothing nothing comes.
#x nudo pacto actio non oritur - 1o action arises on a contract without a consideration.
&x parte ! 6roceeding brought by one person in the absence of another.
#x post facto - )y reason of a subse"uent act.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
#x praecedentibus et consequentibus optima fit interpretatio - The best interpretation is
made from things preceding and following.
#x turpi causa non oritur actio - 1o action arises on an immoral contract.
#xceptio probat regulam - An exception proves the rule.
#xecutio est executio juris secundum judicium - &xecution is the fulfillment of the law in
accordance with the judgment.
#xecutio est finis et fructus legis - An execution is the end and the fruit of the law.
#xecutio legis non habet injuriam - &xecution of the law does no injury.
#xtra legem positus est civiliter mortuus - One out of the pale of the law *i.e. an outlaw+ is
civilly dead.
$
$aciendum - .omething which is to be done.
$actum - An act or deed.
$acultas probationum non est angustanda - The right of offering proof is not to be
narrowed.
$alsa demonstratio non nocet - A false description does not vitiate.
$atetur facinus qui judicium fugit - ,e who flees judgment confesses his guilt.
$elix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas - ,appy is he who has been able to understand the
causes of things.
$elonia implicatur in qualibet proditione - Felony is implied in every treason.
$estinatio justitiae est noverca infortunii - The hurrying of justice is the stepmother of
misfortune.
$ictio cedit veritati; fictio juris non est, ubi veritas - Fiction yields to truth. (here truth is,
fiction of law does not exist.
$ides servanda est - /ood faith is to be preserved.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
$ieri facias (abreviated fi. fa. - That you cause to be made.
$iliatio non potest probari - Filiation cannot be proved.
$irmior et potentior est operatio legis quam dispositio hominis - The operation of law is
firmer and more powerful than the will of man.
$orma legalis forma essentialis est - Legal form is essential form.
$ortior est custodia legis quam hominis - The custody of the law is stronger than that of
man.
$ractionem diei non recipit lex - The law does not regard a fraction of a day.
$raus est celare fraudem - $t is a fraud to conceal a fraud.
$raus est odiosa et non praesumenda - Fraud is odious and is not to be presumed.
$raus et jus nunquam cohabitant - Fraud and justice never dwell together.
$ructus naturales - 2egetation which grows naturally without cultivation.
$rustra probatur quod probatum non relevat - That is proved in vain which when proved is
not relevant.
$uror contrahi matrimonium non sinit, quia consensus opus est - $nsanity prevents
marriage from being contracted because consent is needed.
%
%enerale nihil certum implicat - A general expression implies nothing certain.
%eneralia praecedunt, specialia sequuntur - Things general precede, things special follow.
%eneralia specialibus non derogant - Things general do not derogate from things special.
%eneralis regula generaliter est intelligenda - A general rule is to be generally understood.
%ravius est divinam quam temporalem laedere majestatem - $t is more serious to hurt
divine than temporal majesty.
&
&d est (i.e - That is.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
&d quod commune est, nostrum esse dicitur - That which is common is said to be ours.
&dem - The same person or thing.
&dem nihil dicere et insufficienter dicere est - $t is the same to say nothing as not to say
enough.
&gnorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat - $gnorance of fact excuses, ignorance
of law does not excuse.
&mperium in imperio - A sovereignty within a sovereignty.
&mpotentia excusat legem - $mpossibility is an excuse in the law.
&mpunitas semper ad deteriora invitat - $mpunity always leads to greater crimes.
&n aequali jure melior est conditio possidentis - (hen the parties have e"ual rights, the
condition of the possessor is better.
&n alta proditione nullus potest esse acessorius; sed principalis solum modo - $n high
treason no one can be an accessory# but a principal only.
&n Anglia non est interregnum - $n &ngland there is no interregnum.
&n camera - $n private.
&n casu extremae necessitatis omnia sunt communia - $n a case of extreme necessity
everything is common.
&n criminalibus probationes debent esse luce clariores - $n criminal cases the proofs ought
to be cleared than the light.
&n curia domini regis, ipse in propria persona jura discernit - $n the -ing s 'ourt, the -ing
himself in his own person dispenses justice.
&n delicto - At fault.
&n esse - $n existence.
&n extenso - At full length.
&n fictione legis aequitas existit - A legal fiction is consistent with e"uity.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
&n foro conscientiae - $n the forum of conscience.
&n futoro - $n the future.
&n jure non remota causa sed proxima spectatur - $n law not the remote but the proximate
cause is looed at.
&n limine - At the outset, on the threshold.
&n loco parentis - $n place of the parent.
&n mortua manu ! $n a dead hand.
&n novo casu novum remedium apponendum est - $n a new case a new remedy is to be
applied.
&n omni re nascitur res quae ipsam rem exterminat - $n everything is born that which
destroys the thing itself.
&n omnibus ! $n every respect.
&n pari delicto potior est conditio possidentis - (hen the parties are e"ually in the wrong the
condition of the possessor is better.
&n personam - Against the person.
&n pleno - $n full.
&n quo quis delinquit in eo de jure est puniendus - $n whatever thing one offends in that he
is to be punished according to law.
&n re dubia magis inficiatio quam affirmatio intelligenda - $n a doubtful matter the negative
is to be understood rather than the affirmative.
&n republica maxime conservanda sunt jura belli ! $n a .tate the laws of war are to be
especially observed.
&n situ - $n its place.
&n terrorem - As a warning or deterrent.
&n testamentis plenius testatoris intentionem scrutamur - $n wills we see diligently the
intention of the testator.
10
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
&n traditionibus scriptorum non quod dictum est, sed quod gestum est, inspicitur - $n the
delivery of writings *deeds+, not what is said but what is done is to be considered.
&n verbis, non verba sed res et ratio quaerenda est - $n words, not words, but the thing and
the meaning are to be in"uired into.
&ndicia - 7ars, signs.
&njuria non excusat injuriam - A wrong does not excuse a wrong.
&ntentio inservire debet legibus, non leges intentioni - $ntention ought to be subservient to
the laws, not the laws to the intention.
&nter alia - Amongst other things.
&nterest reipublicae res judicatas non rescindi ! $t is in the interest of the .tate that things
adjudged be not rescinded.
&nterest reipublicae suprema hominum testamenta rata haberi - $t is in the interest of the
.tate that men s last wills be sustained.
&nterest reipublicae ut quilibet re sua bene utatur - $t is in the interest of the .tate that every
one use properly his own property.
&nterest reipublicase ut sit finis litium - $t is in the interest of the .tate that there be an end to
litigation.
&nterim - Temporary, in the meanwhile.
&nterpretare et concordare leges legibus est optimus interpretandi modus - To interpret
and harmoni8e laws is the best method of interpretation.
&nterpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat quam pereat - .uch a construction is to be made
that the thing may have effect rather than it should fail.
&nterruptio multiplex non tollit praescriptionem semel obtentam - 3epeated interruption
does not defeat a prescription once obtained.
&nvito beneficium non datur - A benefit is not conferred upon one against his consent.
&psissima verba - The very words of a speaer.
&pso facto - )y that very fact.
11
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
&ra furor brevis est - Anger is brief insanity.
&ter arma leges silent - $n war the laws are silent.
'
'udex est lex loquens ! A judge is the law speaing.
'udex non potest esse testis in propira causa - A judge cannot be witness in his own cause.
'udex non potest injuriam sibi datam punire - A judge cannon punish a wrong done to
himself.
'udex non reddit plus quam quod petens ipse requirit - A judge does not give more than
the plaintiff himself demands.
'udiciis posterioribus fides est adhibenda - Faith must be given to later decisions.
'udicis est judicare secundum allegata et probata ! $t is the duty of a judge to decide
according to the allegations and the proofs.
'udicium non debet esse illusorium, suum effectum habere debet - A judgment ought not
to be illusory# it ought to have its proper effect.
'uduces non tenentur exprimere causam sententiae suae - 9udges are not bound to explain
the reason of their judgment.
'ura naturae sunt immutabilia - The laws of nature are immutable.
'ura publica anteferenda privatis juribus - 6ublic rights are to be preferred to private rights.
'uramentum est indivisibile et non est admittendum in parte verum et in parte falsum -
An oath is indivisible and it is not to be held partly true and partly false.
'urare est !eum in testem vocare, et est actus divini cultus - To swear is to call /od to
witness and is an act of divine worship.
'us - A right that is recognised in law.
'us accrescendi praefertur oneribus ! The right of survivorship is preferred to incumbrances.
'us ad rem; jus in re - A right to a thing# a right in a thing.
'us dicere, non jus dare - To declare the law, not to mae the law.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
'us est norma recti; et quicquid est contra normam recti est injuria ! The law is a rule of
right# and whatever is contrary to a rule of right is an injury.
'us naturale - 1atural justice.
'us naturale est quod apud omnes homines eandem habet potentiam - 1atural right is that
which has the same force among all men.
'us scriptum aut non scriptum ! The written law or the unwritten law.
'usjurandum inter alios factum nec nocere nec prodesse debet - An oath made between
third parties ought neither to hurt nor profit.
'ustitia est duplec; severe puniens et vere praeveniens - 9ustice is two!fold# severely
punishing and in reality prohibiting *offences+.
'ustitia firmatur solium - The throne is established by justice.
'ustitia nemini neganda est ! 9ustice is to be denied to no one
(
(eges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant - .ubse"uent laws repeal prior conflicting
ones.
(egibus sumptis desinentibus legibus naturae utendum est - (hen laws imposed by the
.tate fail, we must use the laws of nature.
(ex aliquando sequitur aequitatem - The law sometimes follows e"uity.
(ex citius tolerare vult privatum damnum quam publicum malum ! The law would rather
tolerate a private injury than a public evil.
(ex dabit remedium - The law will give a remedy.
(ex dilationes abhorret - The law abhors delays.
(ex est judicum tutissimus ductor - The law is the safest guide for judges.
(ex est sanctio sancta jubens honesta et prohibens contraria - The law is a sacred sanction,
commanding what is right and prohibiting the contrary.
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Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
(ex indendit vicinum vicini facta scire - The law presumes that one neighbor nows the acts
of another.
(ex necessitatis est lex temporis i.e. instantis ! The law of necessity is the law of time, that is
time present.
(ex neminem cogit ad vana seu impossiblia - The law compels no one to do vain or
impossible things.
(ex nil frustra facit - The law does nothing in vain.
(ex non a rege est violanda - The law must not be violated even by the -ing.
(ex non deficere potest in justitia exhibenda - The law cannot fail in dispensing justice.
(ex non novit patrem, nec matrem; solam veritatem - The law does not now neither father
nor mother, only the truth.
(ex non oritur ex injuria - The law does not arise from a mere injury.
(ex non requirit verificari quod apparet curiae - The law does not re"uire that to be proved
which is apparent to the 'ourt.
(ex non favet delicatorum votis - The law does not favor the wishes of the dainty.
(ex plus laudatur quando ratione probatur - The law is the more praised when it is
supported by reason.
(ex prospicit not respicit - The law loos forwared, not bacward.
(ex punit mendaciam - The law punishes falsehood.
(ex rejicit superflua, pugnatia, incongrua - The law rejects superfluous, contradictory and
incongruous things.
(ex spectat naturae ordinem - The law regards the order of nature.
(ex succurrit ignoranti - The law succors the ignorant.
(ex tutissima cassis, sub cl)peo legis nemo decipitur - Law is the safest helmet# under the
shield of the law no one is deceived.
(ex uno ore omnes alloquitur ! The law speas to all through one mouth.
14
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
(onga possessio est pacis jus - Long possession is the law of peace.
(onga possessio parit jus possidendi et tollit actionem vero domino - Long possession
produces the right of possession and taes away from the true owner his action.
*
*agister rerum usus; magistra rerum experientia - 0se is the master of things# experience
is the mistress of things.
*ajor continet in se minus - The greater contains the less.
*ajus est delictum se ipsum occidere quam alium ! $t is a greater crime to ill one s self
than another.
*ala fide - $n bad faith.
*ala grammatica non vitiat chartam - )ad grammar does not vitiate a deed.
*ala in se ! )ad in themselves.
*ala prohibita ! 'rimes prohibited.
*alitia supplet aesatem - 7alice supplies age.
*alo animo ! (ith evil intent.
*andamus - (e command.
*aximus magister erroris populus est - The people are the greatest master of error.
*elior est conditio possidentis, ubi neuter jus habet - )etter is the condition of the
possessor where neither of the two has the right.
*elior testatoris in testamentis spectanda est - $n wills the intention of a testator is to be
regarded.
*eliorem conditionem suam facere potest minor deteriorem nequaquam ! A minor can
mae his position better, never worse.
*ens rea - /uilty state of mind.
*entiri est contra mentem ire - To lie is to act against the mind.
15
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
*erito beneficium legis amittit, qui legem ipsam subvertere intendit - ,e justly loses the
benefit of the law who sees to infringe the law.
*inatur innocentibus qui parcit nocentibus - ,e threatens the innocent who spares the
guilty.
*isera est servitus, ubi jus est vagum aut incertum - $t is a miserable slavery where the law
is vague or uncertain.
*ors dicitur ultimum supplicium - 4eath is called the extreme penalty.
*uilta exercitatione facilius quam regulis percipies - :ou will perceive many things more
easily by experience than by rules.
+
+am nemo haeres viventis - For no one is an heir of a living person.
+aturae vis maxima est - The force of nature is the greatest.
+ecessitas inducit privilegium quoad jura privata ! (ith respect to private rights necessity
induces privilege.
+ecessitas non habet legem - 1ecessity has no law.
+ecessitas publica est major quam privata ! 6ublic necessity is greater than private
necessity.
+egligentia semper habet infortuniam comitem - 1egligence always has misfortune for a
companion.
+emo admittendus est inhabilitare se ipsum - 1o one is allowed to incapacitate himself.
+emo bis punitur pro eodem delicto - 1o one can be twice punished for the same offence.
+emo cogitur suam rem vendere, etiam justo pretio - 1o one is bound to sell his own
property, even for a just price.
+emo contra factum suum venire potest - 1o man can contradict his own deed.
+emo debet esse judex in propria causa - 1o one can be judge in his own case.
16
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
+emo plus juris transferre ad alium potest quam ipse habet ! 1o one can transfer to
another a larger right than he himself has.
+emo potest contra recordum verificare per patriam ! 1o one can verify by the country,
that is, through a jury, against the record.
+emo potest esse tenens et dominus - 1o one can at the same time be a tenant and a landlord
*of the same tenement+.
+emo potest facere per alium, quod per se non potest - 1o one can do through another what
he cannot do himself.
+emo potest mutare consilium suum in alterius injuriam ! 1o one can change his purpose
to the injury of another.
+emo praesumitur esse immemor suae aeternae salutis et maxime in articulo mortis - 1o
one is presumed to be forgetful of his eternal welfare, and particularly in the hour of death.
+emo prohibetur pluribus defensionibus uti - 1o one is forbidden to mae use of several
defences.
+emo punitur pro alieno delicto - 1o one is punished for the crime of another.
+emo se accusare debet, nisi coram !eo - 1o one should accuse himself except in the
presence of /od.
+emo tenetur accusare se ipsum nisi coram !eo - 1o one is bound to accuse himself except
in the presence of /od.
+emo tenetur armare adversarium contra se - 1o one is bound to arm his adversary against
himself.
+exus - 'onnection
+ihil quod est inconveniens est licitum ! 1othing inconvenient is lawful.
+il facit error nominis cum de corpore constat - An error of name maes not difference
when it appears from the body of the instrument.
+isi - 0nless
+on compus mentis - 1ot of sound mind and understanding
+on constat - $t is not certain
17
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
+on decipitur qui scit se decipi - ,e is not deceived who nows that he is deceived.
+on definitur in jure quid sit conatus - (hat an attempt is, is not defined in law.
+on est arctius vinculum inter homines quam jusjurandum - There is no stronger lin
among men than an oath.
+on est factum - $t is not his deed
+on est informatus - ,e is not informed.
+on facias malum ut inde veniat bonum ! :ou shall not do evil that good may come of it.
+on jus, sed seisina, facit stipitem - 1ot right, but seisin maes a stoc *from which the
inheritance must descend+.
+on refert quid notum sit judici si notum non sit in forma judicii - $t matters not what is
nown to the judge if it is not nown judicially.
+on sequitur - An inconsistent statement, it does not follow
+ullus commodum capere potest ex sua injuria propria - 1o one can derive an advantage
from his own wrong.
+ullus recedat e curia cancellaria sine remedio ! 1o one should depart from a 'ourt of
'hancery without a remedy.
,
,mne sacramentum debet esse de certa scientia - &very oath ought to be of certain
nowledge.
,mnia delicta in aperto leviora sunt - All crimes *committed+ in the open are *considered+
lighter.
,mnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem - All things are presumed against a wrongdoer.
,mnis innovatio plus novitate perturbat quam utilitate prodeat - &very innovation
disturbs more by its novelty than it benefits by its utility.
,ptima legum interpres est consuetudo - The best interpreter of laws is custom.
,ptimus interpres rerum est usus - -he best interpreter of things is usage.
18
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
.
.acta privata juri publico non derogare possunt - 6rivate contracts cannot derogate from
public law.
.ar delictum ! &"ual fault.
.ari passu - On an e"ual footing.
.artus sequitur ventrem - The offspring follows the mother.
.ater est quem nuptiae demonstrant - The father is he whom the marriage points out.
.eccata contra naturam sunt gravissima - (rongs against nature are the most serious.
.endente lite nihil innovetur ! 4uring litigation nothing should be changed.
.er curiam - $n the opinion of the court.
.er minas - )y means of menaces or threats.
.er quod - )y reason of which.
.ost mortem - After death.
.rima facie - On the face of it.
.rima impressionis - On first impression.
.ro hac vice - For this occasion.
.ro rata - $n proportion.
.ro tanto - .o far, to that extent.
.ro tempore - For the time being.
.ublici juris - Of public right.
/
/uaeitur - The "uestion is raised.
19
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
/uantum - ,ow much, an amount.
/ui facit per alium, facit per se ! ,e who acts through another acts himself.
/ui haeret in litera, haeret in cortice - ,e who stices to the letter, stics to the bar.
/ui in utero est, pro jam nato habetur, quoties de ejus commodo quaeritur ! ,e who is in
the womb is considered as already born as far as his benefit is considered.
/ui non habet potestatem alienandi, habet necessitatem retinendi - ,e who has not the
power of alienating is under the necessity of retaining.
/ui non habet, ille non dat - ,e who has not, does not give.
/ui non improbat, approbat - ,e who does not disapprove, approves.
/ui non obstat quod obstare potest facere videtur ! ,e who does not prevent what he is
able to prevent, is considered as committing the thing.
/ui non prohibet quod prohibere potest assentire videtur - ,e who does not prohibit when
he is able to prohibit, is in fault.
/ui peccat ebrius, luat sobrius - ,e who does wrong when drun must be punished when
sober.
/ui potest et debet vetare et non vetat jubet - ,e who is able and ought to forbit and does
not, commands.
/ui prior est tempore potior est jure - ,e who is prior in time is stronger in right.
/ui sentit commodum, debet et sentire onus - ,e who derives a benefit ought also to bear a
burden.
/ui tacet consentire videtur - ,e who is silent appears to consent.
/uid pro quo - 'onsideration. something for something.
/uidcquid plantatur solo, solo cedit - (hatever is planted in or affixed to the soil, belongs to
the soil.
/uod ab initio non valet, in tractu temporis non convalescit - (hat is not valid in the
beginning does not become valid by time.
20
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
/uod constat curiae opere testium non indiget - (hat appears to the 'ourt needs not the
help of witnesses.
/uod necessarie intelligitur, id non deest ! (hat is necessarily understood is not wanting.
/uod necessitas cogit, defendit - (hat necessity forces it justifies.
/uod non apparet, non est - (hat does not appear, is not.
/uod non habet principium non habet finem - (hat has no beginning has no end.
/uod per me non possum, nec per alium - (hat $ cannot do through myself, $ cannot do
through another.
/uod prius est verius est; et quod prius est tempore potius est jure - (hat is first is more
true# and what is prior in time is stronger in law.
/uod vanum et inutile est, lex non requirit - The law does not re"uire what is vain and
useless.
/uoties in verbis nulla est ambiguitas, ibi nulla expositio contra verba expressa fienda est
- (hen there is no ambiguity in words, then no exposition contrary to the expressed words is to
be made.

"
"atio est legis anima, mutata legis ratione mutatur et lex - 3eason is the soul of the law#
when the reason of the law changes the law also is changed.
"e - $n the matter of.
"ecognition is the greatest motivator - Agnitio est maioribus motivator
"eprobata pecunia leberat solventem - 7oney refused releases the debtor.
"es - 7atter, affair, thing, circumstance.
"es gestae - Things done.
"es integra - A matter untouched *by decision+.
"es inter alios acta alteri nocere non debet - Things done between strangers ought not to
affect a third person, who is a stranger to the transaction.
21
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
"es judicata accipitur pro veritate - A thing adjudged is accepted for the truth.
"es nulis - 1obody s property.
"espondeat superior - Let the principal answer.
"ex est major singulis, minor universis - The -ing is greater than individuals, less than all
the people.
"ex non debet judicare sed secundum legem - The -ing ought not to judge but according to
the law.
"ex non potest peccare - The -ing can do no wrong.
"ex nunquma moritur - The -ing never dies.
"ex quod injustum est facere non potest - The -ing cannot do what is unjust.
0
0alus populi est suprema lex ! The safety of the people is the supreme law.
0ciens - -nowingly.
0cienter - -nowingly.
0cire facias - That you cause to now.
0cribere est agere - To write is to act.
0e defendendo - $n self defence.
0ecus - The legal position is different, it is otherwise.
0emper praesumitur pro legitimatione puerorum - &verything is presumed in favor of the
legitimacy of children.
0emper pro matriomonio praesumitur - $t is always presumed in favor of marriage.
0ententia interlocutoria revocari potest, definitiva non potest - An interlocutory order can
be revoed, a final order cannot be.
0ervitia personalia sequuntur personam - 6ersonal services follow the person.
22
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
0ic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas - .o use your own as not to injure another s property.
0implex commendatio non obligat - A simple recommendation does not bind.
0tare decisis - To stand by decisions *precedents+.
0tet - 4o not delete, let it stand.
0ub modo - (ithin limits.
0ub nomine - 0nder the name of.
0ub silentio - $n silence.
0ublata causa, tollitur effectus - The cause being removed, the effect ceases.
0ublato fundamento, cadit opus - The foundation being removed, the structure falls.
0ubsequens matrimonium tollit peccatum praecedens - A subse"uent marriage removes the
preceding wrong.
0uggestio falsi - The suggestion of something which is untrue.
0ui generis - 0ni"ue.
0umma ratio est quae pro religione facit - The highest reason is that which maes for
religion, i.e. religion dictates.
0uppressio veri - The suppression of the truth.
0uppressio veri expressio falsi - A suppression of truth is e"uivalent to an expression of
falsehood.
-
-alis qualis - .uch as it is.
-erra firma - .olid ground.
-estamenta latissimam interpretationem habere debent - Testaments ought to have the
broadest interpretation.
-raditio loqui chartam facit - 4elivery maes a deed spea.
23
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
-ransit terra cum onere - The land passes with its burden
1
1bi eadem ratio ibi idem jus, et de similibus idem est judicium - (hen there is the same
reason, then the law is the same, and the same judgment should be rendered as to similar
things.
1bi jus ibi remedium est - (here there is a right there is a remedy.
1bi non est principalis, non potest esse accessorius - (here there is no principal, there can
be no accessory.
1bi nullum matrimonium, ibi nulla dos es - (here there is no marriage, there is no dower.
1ltima voluntas testatoris est perimplenda secundum veram intentionem suam ! The last
will of a testator is to be fulfilled according to his true intentio.
1t poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes, perveniat - That punishment may come to a few, the
fear of it should affect all.
1tile per inutile non vitiatur - (hat is useful is not vitiated by the useless.
2
2erba chartarum fortius accipiuntur contra preferentem - The words of deeds are
accepted more strongly against the person offering them.
2erba debent intelligi cum effectu - (ords ought to be understood with effect.
2erba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire - (ords ought to serve the intention, not the
reverse.
2erbatim - (ord by word, exactly.
2i et armis - (ith the force and arms.
2ia antiqua via est tuta - The old way is the safe way.
2ice versa - The other way around.
2ide - .ee.
24
Kathryn P. Akmad
Bulacan State University
College of Law
2igilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt - The laws serve the vigilant, not those who
sleep.
2ir et uxor consentur in lege una persona - A husband and wife are regarded in law as one
person.
2isitationem commendamus - (e recommend a visitation.
2olens - (illing.
2olenti non fit injuria - An injury is not done to one consenting to it.
2oluntas in delictis non exitus spectatur - $n offences the intent and not the result is looed
at.
2oluntas reputatur pro facto - The will is taen for the deed.
25