Jurisprudence & Legal Maxims
Legal Maxims & Case Law
Explore essential Latin legal maxims shaping modern jurisprudence. Each maxim connects directly to landmark judgments and Bare Act statutory provisions.
IGNORANTIA JURIS NON EXCUSAT
"Ignorance of law is no excuse."
A person cannot avoid liability by claiming they were unaware that their act was illegal; everyone is presumed to know the law.
ACTUS NON FACIT REUM NISI MENS SIT REA
"An act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty."
For most crimes, both a wrongful act (actus reus) and a guilty intention (mens rea) must be present together before a person can be convicted.
AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM
"Hear the other side."
No person should be condemned or have a decision made against them without being given a fair opportunity to present their side of the case.
NEMO JUDEX IN CAUSA SUA
"No one should be a judge in his own cause."
A judge or decision-maker must not have a personal or pecuniary interest in the outcome of the matter they are deciding, to ensure complete impartiality.
RES IPSA LOQUITUR
"The thing speaks for itself."
In certain accidents, the very occurrence and nature of what happened is sufficient evidence of negligence, shifting the burden of proof to the defendant.
UBI JUS IBI REMEDIUM
"Where there is a right, there is a remedy."
The law ensures that whenever a recognized legal right is violated, the affected person has a corresponding legal mechanism of obtaining relief through the courts.
Showing 1 to 6 of 23 maxims
Jurisprudential Interlinking
Legal maxims are the bedrock principles of statutory interpretation and courtroom advocacy. On Summents, each maxim is cross-referenced with both statutory codes (Bare Acts) and landmark judgments to demonstrate how legal doctrines are applied in practice.