Legal Maxims

Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea The act does not make one guilty unless there be a criminal intent.

Actus non reum facit, nisi mens sit rea. An act does not make a person guilty, unless the intention be also guilty. This maxim applies only to criminal cases; in civil matters it is otherwise

Actus reus A ad finem at the end Ad hoc For this purpose Ad infinitum Forever, without limit, to infinity. ad litem appointed for a lawsuit Ad perpetuam rei memoriam For a perpetual memorial of the matter. ad personam personal guilty deed or act. Alibi At another place, elsewhere. Amicus curiae A friend of the Court . Audi alteram partem Hear the other side. 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. Consensus ad idem Agreement as to the same things. Damnum sine injuria damage without legal injury. de minimis trivial De minimis lex non curat The law does not notice trifling matters. De minimis non curat lex. The law does not notice or care for trifling matters. nemo dat quod non habet one can give a better title than the one he has Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa No one can be judge in his own case. Ubi jus ibi remedium est Where there is a right there is a remedy. Ubi jus, ibi remedium. Where there is a right, there is a remedy.