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Statcon Latin Maxims
Statcon Latin Maxims
B. POWER TO CONSTRUE
C. CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION
Hoc quidem perquam durum est, sed ita lex scripta est.
It is exceedingly hard, but so the law is written.
Quando verba statute sunt speciali, ratio autem generalia, statum generaliter est
intelligendum.
When the words used in a statute are special, but the purpose of the law is general, it should be
read as the general expression.
Jurae naturae aequum est neminem cum alterius detrimento et injuria fieri locupletiorem.
It is certainly not agreeable to natural justice that a stranger should reap the pecuniary produce of
another man’s work.
Ibi quid generaliter conceditur, inest haec exception, si non aliquid sit contras jus basque.
Where anything is granted generally, exemption from rigid application of law is implied; that
nothing shall be contrary to law and right.
C. IMPLICATIONS
Ex necessitate legis.
By the necessary implication of law.
Cui jurisdiction data est, ea quoque concessa esse videntur sine quibus jurisdiction explicari
non potuit.
When jurisdiction is given, all powers and means essential to its exercise are also given.
A. IN GENERAL
B. ASSOCIATED WORDS
Noscitur a sociis.
A thing is known by its associates.
Ejesdem generis.
Of the same kind or species.
Argumentum a contrario.
Negative-Opposite Doctrine: what is expressed puts an end to that which is implied.
Cassus omissus pro omisso habendus est.
A person, object or thing omitted from an enumeration must be held to have been omitted
intentionally.
Injustum est, nisi tota lege inspecta, de una aliqua ejus particula proposita indicare vel
respondere.
It is unjust to decide or to respond as to any particular part of a law without examining the whole
of the law.
Nemo enim aliquam partem recte intelligere possit antequam totum interum atque interim
perlegit.
The sense and meaning of the law is collected by viewing all the parts together as one whole and
not of one part only by itself.
Verba posterima propter certitudinem addita ad priora quae certitudine indigent sunt
referenda.
Reference should be made to a subsequent section in order to explain a previous clause of which
the meaning is doubtful.
Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat quam pereat.
A law should be interpreted with a view of upholding rather than destroying it.
Pari materia.
Of the same matter.
Mutatis mutandis.
With the necessary changes.
Chapter VII – STRICT OR LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION
A. IN GENERAL
Strictissimi juris.
Follow the law strictly.
A. IN GENERAL
Leges quae retrospciunt, et magna cum cautione sunt adhibendae neque enim janus locatur in
legibus.
Laws which are retrospective are rarely and cautiously received, for Janus has really no place in
the laws.
Leges et constitutiones futuris certum est dare formam negotiis, non ad facta praeterita
revocari, nisi nominatim et de praeterito tempore et adhuc pendentibus negotiis cautum sit.
Laws should be construed as prospective, not retrospective, unless they are expressly made
applicable to past transactions and to such as are still pending.
A. REPEAL
B. In obscuris inspici solere quod versimilius est, aut quod plerumque fieri solet.
When matters are obscure, it is customary to take what appears to be more likely or what usually
often happens.
Jus constitui oportet in his quae ut plurimum accidunt non quae ex inordinato.
Laws ought to be made with a view to those cases which happen most frequently, and not to
those which are of rare or accidental occurrence.