J & N REALTY, INC.

COMMON LATIN LEGAL PHRASES  

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 make 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 frequently. 

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 question of fact; the jury does not answer to a question of Law. 

Aedificare in tuo proprio solo non licet quod alteri noceat - It is not lawful to build on one's own land what may be injurious to another. 

Aequitas legem sequitur - Equity follows the law. 

Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem - Equity 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 making contradictory statements is not to be heard. 

Allegans suam turpitudinem non est audiendus - One alleging his own infamy is not to be heard. 

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 Court. 

Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem - The laws of England are favorable in every case to liberty. 

Animo furandi - With an intention of stealing. 

Animo testandi - With an intention of making a will. 

Annus luctus - The year of mourning. 

Ante - Before. 

Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere solebat - Water 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 against 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 taking up of arms against the armed. 

Assentio mentium - The meeting of minds, i.e. mutual assent. 

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 - He gives (pays) twice who pays promptly.  

Bona fide - Sincere, in good faith 

Bona vacantia - Goods without an owner 

Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem - It is the part of a good judge to enlarge his jurisdiction, i.e. remedial authority. 

Boni judicis est judicium sine dilatione mandare executioni - It is the duty of a good judge to cause execution to issue on a judgment without delay. 

Boni judicis lites dirimere est - It 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 equity to strict law. 

Breve judiciale non cadit pro defectu formae - A judicial writing does not fail through defect of form. 

Assignatus utitur jure auctoris - An assignee is clothed with rights of his assignor. 

Audi alteram partem - Hear the other side. 

Aula regis - The King's Court. 

Cadit quaestio - The matter admits of no further argument. 

Cassetur billa (breve) - Let the writ be quashed. 

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 - Chattels 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 - I have taken the body and the prisoner is sick. 

Cepi corpus et paratum habeo - I have taken the body and have it ready. 

Ceteris paribus - Other things being equal. 

Consensu - Unanimously 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. 

Contra bonos mores - Against good morals. 

Contra non valentem agere nulla currit praescriptio - No 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 Domino Rege - In the presence of our Lord the King. 

Coram non judice - Before one who is not a judge. 

Corpus - Body. 

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 - Vice increasing, punishment ought also to increase. 

Crimen omnia ex se nata vitiat - Crime vitiates every thing, which springs from it. 

Crimen trahit personam - The crime carries the person. 

Cujus est dare, ejus est disponere - He 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 - He who owns the soil owns it up to the sky; and to its depth. 

Cum duo inter se pugnantia reperiuntur in testamentis ultimum ratum est - When 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. 

Damnum sine injuria - damage without legal injury. 

De bonis asportatis - Of goods carried away. 

De bonis non administratis - Of goods not administered. 

De die in diem - From day to day. 

De facto - In fact. 

De futuro - In the future. 

De integro - As regards the whole. 

De jure - Rightful, by right. 

De minimis lex non curat - The law does not notice trifling matters. 

De novo - Starting afresh. 

Debile fundamentum fallit opus - Where there is a weak foundation, the work fails. 

Debita sequuntur personam debitoria - Debts follow the person of the debtor. 

Debitor non praesumitur donare - A debtor is not presumed to make a gift. 

Debitum et contractus sunt nullius loci - Debt and contract are of no particular place. 

Debitum in praesenti, solvendum in futuro - A present debt is to be discharged in the future. 

Delegata potestas non potest delegari - A delegated authority cannot be again delegated. 

Derivativa potestas non potest esse major primitiva - The power which is derived cannot be greater than that from which it is derived. 

Deus solus haeredem facere potest, non homo - God alone, not man, can make an heir. 

Dies Dominicus non est juridicus - Sunday is not a day in law. 

Discretio est discernere per legem quid sit justum - Discretion is to discern through law what is just. 

Doli incapax - Incapable of crime. 

Dominium - Ownership. 

Domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium - Every mans house is his safest refuge. 

Dona clandestina sunt semper suspiciosa - Clandestine gifts are always suspicious. 

Dormiunt leges aliquando, nunquam moriuntur - The laws sometimes sleep, but never die. 

Doti lex favet; praemium pudoris est; ideo parcatur - The law favors dower; it is the reward of chastity, therefore let it be preserved. 

Dubitante - Doubting the correctness of the decision. 

Duo non possunt in solido unam rem possidere - Two cannot possess one thing each in entirety. 

Ei incumbit probatio qui - The onus of proving a fact rests upon the man. 

Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat - The burden of the proof lies upon him who affirms, not he who denies. 

Error, qui non resistitur approbatur - An error not resisted is approved. 

Et cetera - Other things of that type. 

Ex cathedra - With official authority. 

Ex concessis - In view of what has already been accepted/ 

Ex dolo malo actio non oritur - A right of action cannot arise out of fraud. 

Ex facie - On the fact of it. 

Ex gratia - Out of kindness, voluntary. 

Ex nihilo nil fit - From nothing, nothing comes. 

Ex nudo pacto actio non oritur - No action arises on a contract without a consideration. 

Ex parte - Proceeding brought by one person in the absence of another. 

Ex post facto - By reason of a subsequent act. 

Ex praecedentibus et consequentibus optima fit interpretatio - The best interpretation is made from things preceding and following. 

Ex turpi causa non oritur actio - No action arises on an immoral contract. 

Exceptio probat regulam - An exception proves the rule. 

Executio est executio juris secundum judicium - Execution is the fulfillment of the law in accordance with the judgment. 

Executio est finis et fructus legis - An execution is the end and the fruit of the law. 

Executio legis non habet injuriam - Execution of the law does no injury. 

Extra legem positus est civiliter mortuus - One out of the pale of the law (i.e. an outlaw) is civilly dead. 

Faciendum - Something which is to be done. 

Factum - An act or deed. 

Facultas probationum non est angustanda - The right of offering proof is not to be narrowed. 

Falsa demonstratio non nocet - A false description does not vitiate. 

Fatetur facinus qui judicium fugit - He who flees judgment confesses his guilt. 

Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas - Happy is he who has been able to understand the causes of things. 

Felonia implicatur in qualibet proditione - Felony is implied in every treason. 

Festinatio justitiae est noverca infortunii - The hurrying of justice is the stepmother of misfortune. 

Fictio cedit veritati; fictio juris non est, ubi veritas - Fiction yields to truth. Where truth is, fiction of law does not exist. 

Fides servanda est - Good faith is to be preserved. 

Fieri facias (abreviated fi. fa.) - That you cause to be made. 

Filiatio non potest probari - Filiation cannot be proved. 

Firmior et potentior est operatio legis quam dispositio hominis - The operation of law is firmer and more powerful than the will of man. 

Forma legalis forma essentialis est - Legal form is essential form. 

Fortior est custodia legis quam hominis - The custody of the law is stronger than that of man. 

Fractionem diei non recipit lex - The law does not regard a fraction of a day. 

Fraus est celare fraudem - It is a fraud to conceal a fraud. 

Fraus est odiosa et non praesumenda - Fraud is odious and is not to be presumed. 

Fraus et jus nunquam cohabitant - Fraud and justice never dwell together. 

Fructus naturales - Vegetation which grows naturally without cultivation. 

Frustra probatur quod probatum non relevat -That is proved in vain which when proved is not relevant. 

Furor contrahi matrimonium non sinit, quia consensus opus est - Insanity prevents marriage from being contracted because consent is needed. 

Generale nihil certum implicat - A general expression implies nothing certain. 

Generalia praecedunt, specialia sequuntur - Things general precede, things special follow. 

Generalia specialibus non derogant - Things general do not derogate from things special. 

Generalis regula generaliter est intelligenda - A general rule is to be generally understood. 

Gravius est divinam quam temporalem laedere majestatem - It is more serious to hurt divine than temporal majesty. 

Habeas corpus - That you have the body. 

Habemus optimum testem confitentem reum - We have the best witness, a confessing defendant. 

Haeredem est nomen collectum - Heir is a collective name. 

Haeres est nomen juris, filius est nomen naturae - Heir is a term of law, son, one of nature. 

Haeres legitimus est quem nuptiae demonstrant - He is the lawful heir whom the marriage indicates. 

Homo vocabulum est naturae; persona juris civilis - Man is a term of nature, person of the civil law. 

Id est (i.e) - That is. 

Id quod commune est, nostrum esse dicitur - That which is common is said to be ours. 

Idem - The same person or thing. 

Idem nihil dicere et insufficienter dicere est - It is the same to say nothing as not to say enough. 

Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat - Ignorance of fact excuses, ignorance of law does not excuse. 

Imperium in imperio - A sovereignty within a sovereignty. 

Impotentia excusat legem - Impossibility is an excuse in the law. 

Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat - Impunity always leads to greater crimes. 

In aequali jure melior est conditio possidentis - When the parties have equal rights, the condition of the possessor is better. 

In alta proditione nullus potest esse acessorius; sed principalis solum modo - In high treason no one can be an accessory; but a principal only. 

In camera - In private. 

In casu extremae necessitatis omnia sunt communia - In a case of extreme necessity everything is common.  

In criminalibus probationes debent esse luce clariores - In criminal cases the proofs ought to be cleared than the light. 

In curia domini regis, ipse in propria persona jura discernit - In the Kings Court, the King himself in his own person dispenses justice. 

In delicto - At fault. 

In esse - In existence. 

In extenso - At full length. 

In fictione legis aequitas existit - A legal fiction is consistent with equity. 

In foro conscientiae - In the forum of conscience. 

In futoro - In the future. 

In jure non remota causa sed proxima spectatur - In law not the remote but the proximate cause is looked at. 

In limine - At the outset, on the threshold. 

In loco parentis - In place of the parent. 

In mortua manu - In a dead hand. 

In novo casu novum remedium apponendum est - In a new case a new remedy is to be applied. 

In omni re nascitur res quae ipsam rem exterminat - In everything is born that which destroys the thing itself. 

In omnibus - In every respect. 

In pari delicto potior est conditio possidentis - When the parties are equally in the wrong the condition of the possessor is better. 

In personam - Against the person. 

In pleno - In full. 

In quo quis delinquit in eo de jure est puniendus - In whatever thing one offends in that he is to be punished according to law. 

In re dubia magis inficiatio quam affirmatio intelligenda - In a doubtful matter the negative is to be understood rather than the affirmative. 

In republica maxime conservanda sunt jura belli - In a State the laws of war are to be especially observed. 

In situ - In its place. 

In terrorem - As a warning or deterrent. 

In testamentis plenius testatoris intentionem scrutamur - In wills we seek diligently the intention of the testator. 

In traditionibus scriptorum non quod dictum est, sed quod gestum est, inspicitur - In the delivery of writings (deeds), not what is said but what is done is to be considered. 

In verbis, non verba sed res et ratio quaerenda est - In words, not words, but the thing and the meaning are to be inquired into. 

Indicia - Marks, signs. 

Injuria non excusat injuriam - A wrong does not excuse a wrong. 

Intentio inservire debet legibus, non leges intentioni - Intention ought to be subservient to the laws, not the laws to the intention. 

Inter alia - Amongst other things. 

Interest reipublicae res judicatas non rescindi - It is in the interest of the State that things adjudged be not rescinded. 

Interest reipublicae suprema hominum testamenta rata haberi - It is in the interest of the State that mens last wills be sustained. 

Interest reipublicae ut quilibet re sua bene utatur - It is in the interest of the State that every one use properly his own property. 

Interest reipublicase ut sit finis litium - It is in the interest of the State that there be an end to litigation. 

Interim - Temporary, in the meanwhile. 

Interpretare et concordare leges legibus est optimus interpretandi modus - To interpret and harmonize laws is the best method of interpretation. 

Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat quam pereat - Such a construction is to be made that the thing may have effect rather than it should fail. 

Interruptio multiplex non tollit praescriptionem semel obtentam - Repeated interruption does not defeat a prescription once obtained. 

Invito beneficium non datur - A benefit is not conferred upon one against his consent. 

Ipsissima verba - The very words of a speaker. 

Ipso facto - By that very fact. 

Ira furor brevis est - Anger is brief insanity. 

Iter arma leges silent - In war the laws are silent. 

Judex est lex loquens - A judge is the law speaking. 

Judex non potest esse testis in propira causa - A judge cannot be witness in his own cause. 

Judex non potest injuriam sibi datam punire - A judge cannon punish a wrong done to himself. 

Judex non reddit plus quam quod petens ipse requirit - A judge does not give more than the plaintiff himself demands. 

Judiciis posterioribus fides est adhibenda - Faith must be given to later decisions. 

Judicis est judicare secundum allegata et probata - It is the duty of a judge to decide according to the allegations and the proofs. 

Judicium non debet esse illusorium, suum effectum habere debet - A judgment ought not to be illusory; it ought to have its proper effect. 

Juduces non tenentur exprimere causam sententiae suae - Judges are not bound to explain the reason of their judgment. 

Jura naturae sunt immutabilia - The laws of nature are immutable. 

Jura publica anteferenda privatis juribus - Public rights are to be preferred to private rights. 

Juramentum 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. 

Jurare est Deum in testem vocare, et est actus divini cultus - To swear is to call God to witness and is an act of divine worship. 

Jus - A right that is recognized in law. 

Jus accrescendi praefertur oneribus - The right of survivorship is preferred to encumbrances. 

Jus ad rem; jus in re - A right to a thing; a right in a thing. 

Jus dicere, non jus dare - To declare the law, not to make the law. 

Jus 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. 

Jus naturale - Natural justice. 

Jus naturale est quod apud omnes homines eandem habet potentiam - Natural right is that which has the same force among all men. 

Jus scriptum aut non scriptum - The written law or the unwritten law. 

Jusjurandum inter alios factum nec nocere nec prodesse debet - An oath made between third parties ought neither to hurt nor profit. 

Justitia est duplec; severe puniens et vere praeveniens - Justice is two-fold; severely punishing and in reality prohibiting (offences). 

Justitia firmatur solium - The throne is established by justice. 

Justitia nemini neganda est - Justice is to be denied to no one. 

Leges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant - Subsequent laws repeal prior conflicting ones. 

Legibus sumptis desinentibus legibus naturae utendum est - When laws imposed by the State fail, we must use the laws of nature. 

Lex aliquando sequitur aequitatem - The law sometimes follows equity. 

Lex citius tolerare vult privatum damnum quam publicum malum - The law would rather tolerate a private injury than a public evil. 

Lex dabit remedium - The law will give a remedy. 

Lex dilationes abhorret - The law abhors delays. 

Lex est judicum tutissimus ductor - The law is the safest guide for judges. 

Lex est sanctio sancta jubens honesta et prohibens contraria - The law is a sacred sanction, commanding what is right and prohibiting the contrary. 

Lex indendit vicinum vicini facta scire - The law presumes that one neighbor knows the acts of another. 

Lex necessitatis est lex temporis i.e. instantis - The law of necessity is the law of time, that is time present. 

Lex neminem cogit ad vana seu impossiblia - The law compels no one to do vain or impossible things. 

Lex nil frustra facit - The law does nothing in vain. 

Lex non a rege est violanda - The law must not be violated even by the King. 

Lex non deficere potest in justitia exhibenda - The law cannot fail in dispensing justice. 

Lex non novit patrem, nec matrem; solam veritatem - The law does not know neither father nor mother, only the truth. 

Lex non oritur ex injuria - The law does not arise from a mere injury. 

Lex non requirit verificari quod apparet curiae - The law does not require that to be proved which is apparent to the Court. 

Lex non favet delicatorum votis - The law does not favor the wishes of the dainty. 

Lex plus laudatur quando ratione probatur - The law is the more praised when it is supported by reason. 

Lex prospicit not respicit - The law looks forward, not backward. 

Lex punit mendaciam - The law punishes falsehood. 

Lex rejicit superflua, pugnatia, incongrua - The law rejects superfluous, contradictory and incongruous things. 

Lex spectat naturae ordinem - The law regards the order of nature. 

Lex succurrit ignoranti - The law succors the ignorant. 

Lex tutissima cassis, sub clypeo legis nemo decipitur - Law is the safest helmet; under the shield of the law no one is deceived. 

Lex uno ore omnes alloquitur - The law speaks to all through one mouth. 

Longa possessio est pacis jus - Long possession is the law of peace. 

Longa possessio parit jus possidendi et tollit actionem vero domino - Long possession produces the right of possession and takes away from the true owner his action. 

Magister rerum usus; magistra rerum experientia - Use is the master of things; experience is the mistress of things. 

Major continet in se minus - The greater contains the less. 

Majus est delictum se ipsum occidere quam alium - It is a greater crime to kill one’s self than another. 

Mala fide - In bad faith. 

Mala grammatica non vitiat chartam - Bad grammar does not vitiate a deed. 

Mala in se - Bad in themselves. 

Mala prohibita - Crimes prohibited. 

Malitia supplet aesatem - Malice supplies age. 

Malo animo - With evil intent. 

Mandamus - We command. 

Maximus magister erroris populus est - The people are the greatest master of error. 

Melior est conditio possidentis, ubi neuter jus habet - Better is the condition of the possessor where neither of the two has the right. 

Melior testatoris in testamentis spectanda est - In wills the intention of a testator is to be regarded. 

Meliorem conditionem suam facere potest minor deteriorem nequaquam - A minor can make his position better, never worse. 

Mens rea - Guilty state of mind. 

Mentiri est contra mentem ire - To lie is to act against the mind. 

Merito beneficium legis amittit, qui legem ipsam subvertere intendit - He justly loses the benefit of the law who seeks to infringe the law. 

Minatur innocentibus qui parcit nocentibus - He threatens the innocent who spares the guilty. 

Misera est servitus, ubi jus est vagum aut incertum - It is a miserable slavery where the law is vague or uncertain. 

Mors dicitur ultimum supplicium - Death is called the extreme penalty. 

Muilta exercitatione facilius quam regulis percipies - You will perceive many things more easily by experience than by rules. 

Nam nemo haeres viventis - For no one is an heir of a living person. 

Naturae vis maxima est - The force of nature is the greatest. 

Necessitas inducit privilegium quoad jura privata - With respect to private rights necessity induces privilege. 

Necessitas non habet legem - Necessity has no law. 

Necessitas publica est major quam privata - Public necessity is greater than private necessity. 

Negligentia semper habet infortuniam comitem - Negligence always has misfortune for a companion. 

Nemo admittendus est inhabilitare se ipsum - No one is allowed to incapacitate himself. 

Nemo bis punitur pro eodem delicto - No one can be twice punished for the same offence. 

Nemo cogitur suam rem vendere, etiam justo pretio - No one is bound to sell his own property, even for a just price. 

Nemo contra factum suum venire potest - No man can contradict his own deed. 

Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa - No one can be judge in his own case. 

Nemo plus juris transferre ad alium potest quam ipse habet - No one can transfer to another a larger right than he himself has. 

Nemo potest contra recordum verificare per patriam - No one can verify by the country, that is, through a jury, against the record. 

Nemo potest esse tenens et dominus - No one can at the same time be a tenant and a landlord (of the same tenement). 

Nemo potest facere per alium, quod per se non potest - No one can do through another what he cannot do himself. 

Nemo potest mutare consilium suum in alterius injuriam - No one can change his purpose to the injury of another. 

Nemo praesumitur esse immemor suae aeternae salutis et maxime in articulo mortis - No one is presumed to be forgetful of his eternal welfare, and particularly in the hour of death. 

Nemo prohibetur pluribus defensionibus uti - No one is forbidden to make use of several defenses. 

Nemo punitur pro alieno delicto - No one is punished for the crime of another. 

Nemo se accusare debet, nisi coram Deo - No one should accuse himself except in the presence of God. 

Nemo tenetur accusare se ipsum nisi coram Deo - No one is bound to accuse himself except in the presence of God. 

Nemo tenetur armare adversarium contra se - No one is bound to arm his adversary against himself. 

Nexus - Connection 

Nihil quod est inconveniens est licitum - Nothing inconvenient is lawful. 

Nil facit error nominis cum de corpore constat - An error of name makes no difference when it appears from the body of the instrument. 

Nisi - Unless 

Non compus mentis - Not of sound mind and understanding 

Non constat - It is not certain 

Non decipitur qui scit se decipi - He is not deceived who knows that he is deceived. 

Non definitur in jure quid sit conatus - What an attempt is, is not defined in law. 

Non est arctius vinculum inter homines quam jusjurandum - There is no stronger link among men than an oath. 

Non est factum - It is not his deed 

Non est informatus - He is not informed. 

Non facias malum ut inde veniat bonum - You shall not do evil that good may come of it. 

Non refert quid notum sit judici si notum non sit in forma judicii - It matters not what is known to the judge if it is not known judicially. 

Non sequitur - An inconsistent statement, it does not follow 

Nullus commodum capere potest ex sua injuria propria - No one can derive an advantage from his own wrong. 

Nullus recedat e curia cancellaria sine remedio - No one should depart from a Court of Chancery without a remedy. 

Omne sacramentum debet esse de certa scientia - Every oath ought to be of certain knowledge. 

Omnia delicta in aperto leviora sunt - All crimes (committed) in the open are (considered) lighter. 

Omnia praesumuntur contra spoliatorem - All things are presumed against a wrongdoer. 

Omnis innovatio plus novitate perturbat quam utilitate prodeat - Every innovation disturbs more by its novelty than it benefits by its utility. 

Optima legum interpres est consuetudo - The best interpreter of laws is custom. 

Optimus interpres rerum est usus - The best interpreter of things is usage. 

Pacta privata juri publico non derogare possunt - Private contracts cannot derogate from public law. 

Par delictum - Equal fault. 

Pari passu - On an equal footing. 

Partus sequitur ventrem - The offspring follows the mother. 

Pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant - The father is he whom the marriage points out. 

Peccata contra naturam sunt gravissima - Wrongs against nature are the most serious. 

Pendente lite nihil innovetur - During litigation nothing should be changed. 

Per curiam - In the opinion of the court. 

Per minas - By means of menaces or threats. 

Per quod - By reason of which. 

Post mortem - After death. 

Prima facie - On the face of it. 

Prima impressionis - On first impression. 

Pro hac vice - For this occasion. 

Pro rata - In proportion. 

Pro tanto - So far, to that extent. 

Pro tempore - For the time being. 

Publici juris - Of public right. 

Quaeitur - The question is raised. 

Quantum - How much, an amount. 

Qui facit per alium, facit per se - He who acts through another, acts himself. 

Qui haeret in litera, haeret in cortice - He who sticks to the letter, sticks to the bark. 

Qui in utero est, pro jam nato habetur, quoties de ejus commodo quaeritur - He who is in the womb is considered as already born as far as his benefit is considered. 

Qui non habet potestatem alienandi, habet necessitatem retinendi - He who has not the power of alienating is under the necessity of retaining. 

Qui non habet, ille non dat - He who has not, does not give. 

Qui non improbat, approbat - He who does not disapprove, approves. 

Qui non obstat quod obstare potest facere videtur - He who does not prevent what he is able to prevent, is considered as committing the thing. 

Qui non prohibet quod prohibere potest assentire videtur - He who does not prohibit when he is able to prohibit, is in fault. 

Qui peccat ebrius, luat sobrius - He who does wrong when drunk must be punished when sober. 

Qui potest et debet vetare et non vetat jubet - He who is able and ought to forbid and does not, commands. 

Qui prior est tempore potior est jure - He who is prior in time is stronger in right. 

Qui sentit commodum, debet et sentire onus - He who derives a benefit ought also to bear a burden. 

Qui tacet consentire videtur - He who is silent appears to consent. 

Quid pro quo – Consideration; something for something. 

Quidcquid plantatur solo, solo cedit - Whatever is planted in or affixed to the soil, belongs to the soil. 

Quod ab initio non valet, in tractu temporis non convalescit - What is not valid in the beginning does not become valid by time. 

Quod constat curiae opere testium non indiget - What appears to the Court needs not the help of witnesses. 

Quod necessarie intelligitur, id non deest - What is necessarily understood is not wanting. 

Quod necessitas cogit, defendit - What necessity forces it justifies. 

Quod non apparet, non est - What does not appear, is not. 

Quod non habet principium non habet finem - What has no beginning has no end. 

Quod per me non possum, nec per alium - What I cannot do through myself, I cannot do through another. 

Quod prius est verius est; et quod prius est tempore potius est jure - What is first is more true; and what is prior in time is stronger in law. 

Quod vanum et inutile est, lex non requirit - The law does not require what is vain and useless. 

Quoties in verbis nulla est ambiguitas, ibi nulla expositio contra verba expressa fienda est - When there is no ambiguity in words, then no exposition contrary to the expressed words is to be made. 

Ratio est legis anima, mutata legis ratione mutatur et lex - Reason is the soul of the law; when the reason of the law changes the law also is changed. 

Re - In the matter of. 

Reprobata pecunia leberat solventem - Money refused releases the debtor. 

Res - Matter, affair, thing, circumstance. 

Res gestae - Things done. 

Res integra - A matter untouched (by decision). 

Res 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. 

Res judicata accipitur pro veritate - A thing adjudged is accepted for the truth. 

Res nulis - Nobodys property. 

Respondeat superior - Let the principal answer. 

Rex est major singulis, minor universis - The King is greater than individuals, less than all the people. 

Rex non debet judicare sed secundum legem - The King ought not to judge but according to the law. 

Rex non potest peccare - The King can do no wrong. 

Rex nunquma moritur - The King never dies. 

Rex quod injustum est facere non potest - The King cannot do what is unjust. 

Salus populi est suprema lex - The safety of the people is the supreme law. 

Sciens - Knowingly. 

Scienter - Knowingly. 

Scire facias - That you cause to know. 

Scribere est agere - To write is to act. 

Se defendendo - In self defense. 

Secus - The legal position is different, it is otherwise. 

Semper praesumitur pro legitimatione puerorum - Everything is presumed in favor of the legitimacy of children. 

Semper pro matriomonio praesumitur - It is always presumed in favor of marriage. 

Sententia interlocutoria revocari potest, definitiva non potest - An interlocutory order can be revoked, a final order cannot be. 

Servitia personalia sequuntur personam - Personal services follow the person. 

Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas - So use your own as not to injure another’s property. 

Simplex commendatio non obligat - A simple recommendation does not bind. 

Stare decisis - To stand by decisions (precedents). 

Stet - Do not delete, let it stand. 

Sub modo - Within limits. 

Sub nomine - Under the name of. 

Sub silentio - In silence. 

Sublata causa, tollitur effectus - The cause being removed, the effect ceases. 

Sublato fundamento, cadit opus - The foundation being removed, the structure falls. 

Subsequens matrimonium tollit peccatum praecedens - A subsequent marriage removes the preceding wrong. 

Suggestio falsi - The suggestion of something which is untrue. 

Sui generis - Unique. 

Summa ratio est quae pro religione facit - The highest reason is that which makes for religion, i.e. religion dictates. 

Suppressio veri - The suppression of the truth. 

Suppressio veri expressio falsi - A suppression of truth is equivalent to an expression of falsehood. 

Talis qualis - Such as it is. 

Terra firma - Solid ground. 

Testamenta latissimam interpretationem habere debent - Testaments ought to have the broadest interpretation. 

Traditio loqui chartam facit - Delivery makes a deed speak. 

Transit terra cum onere - The land passes with its burden. 

Ubi eadem ratio ibi idem jus, et de similibus idem est judicium - When there is the same reason, then the law is the same, and the same judgment should be rendered as to similar things. 

Ubi jus ibi remedium est - Where there is a right there is a remedy. 

Ubi non est principalis, non potest esse accessorius - Where there is no principal, there can be no accessory. 

Ubi nullum matrimonium, ibi nulla dos es - Where there is no marriage, there is no dower. 

Ultima voluntas testatoris est perimplenda secundum veram intentionem suam - The last will of a testator is to be fulfilled according to his true intentio. 

Ut poena ad paucos, metus ad omnes, perveniat - That punishment may come to a few, the fear of it should affect all. 

Utile per inutile non vitiatur - What is useful is not vitiated by the useless. 

Verba chartarum fortius accipiuntur contra preferentem - The words of deeds are accepted more strongly against the person offering them. 

Verba debent intelligi cum effectu - Words ought to be understood with effect. 

Verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire - Words ought to serve the intention, not the reverse. 

Verbatim - Word by word, exactly. 

Vi et armis - With the force and arms. 

Via antiqua via est tuta - The old way is the safe way. 

Vice versa - The other way around. 

Vide - See. 

Vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subveniunt - The laws serve the vigilant, not those who sleep. 

Vir et uxor consentur in lege una persona - A husband and wife are regarded in law as one person. 

Visitationem commendamus - We recommend a visitation. 

Volens - Willing. 

Volenti non fit injuria - An injury is not done to one consenting to it. 

Voluntas in delictis non exitus spectatur - In offences the intent and not the result is looked at. 

Voluntas reputatur pro facto - The will is taken for the deed.