100 Important Legal Maxims for CLAT 2027 with Meanings

No.

Legal Maxim

Meaning

1

Actus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea

An act does not make a person guilty unless there is a guilty mind.

2

Actori Incumbit Onus Probandi

The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff.

3

Audi Alteram Partem

Hear the other side before making a decision.

4

Nemo Judex in Causa Sua

No one should be a judge in their own case.

5

Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat

Ignorance of law is no excuse.

6

Ignorantia Facti Excusat

Ignorance of fact is an excuse.

7

Volenti Non Fit Injuria

No injury is done to one who consents.

8

Res Ipsa Loquitur

The thing speaks for itself.

9

Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium

Where there is a right, there is a remedy.

10

Damnum Sine Injuria

Damage without legal injury.

11

Injuria Sine Damnum

Legal injury without actual damage.

12

Qui Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se

He who acts through another acts himself.

13

Delegatus Non Potest Delegare

A delegated authority cannot further delegate.

14

Res Judicata

A matter already decided cannot be litigated again.

15

Sub Judice

A matter is under judicial consideration.

16

Caveat Emptor

Let the buyer beware.

17

Caveat Venditor

Let the seller beware.

18

Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet

No one can transfer a better title than they possess.

19

Mens Rea

Guilty mind or criminal intent.

20

Actus Reus

Guilty act.

21

Bona Fide

In good faith.

22

Mala Fide

In bad faith.

23

Prima Facie

At first sight or on initial evidence.

24

De Facto

In fact.

25

De Jure

By law or legally.

26

Ex Parte

Proceedings conducted in the absence of one party.

27

Sine Qua Non

An essential condition.

28

Locus Standi

Right to bring an action before a court.

29

Obiter Dicta

Incidental judicial observations not binding as precedent.

30

Ratio Decidendi

The legal principle on which a judgment is based.

31

Stare Decisis

Follow judicial precedents.

32

Lex Loci

Law of the place.

33

Lex Fori

Law of the forum or court.

34

Lex Talionis

Law of retaliation ("an eye for an eye").

35

Lex Non Cogit Ad Impossibilia

The law does not compel the impossible.

36

Salus Populi Suprema Lex

Welfare of the people is the supreme law.

37

Salus Rei Publicae Suprema Lex

Welfare of the State is the supreme law.

38

Expressio Unius Est Exclusio Alterius

Express mention of one excludes others.

39

Generalia Specialibus Non Derogant

General law does not override special law.

40

Ejusdem Generis

Of the same kind or nature.

41

Noscitur a Sociis

A word is understood by its accompanying words.

42

Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat

Interpret law to make it effective.

43

Casus Omissus

A case omitted by legislation.

44

Novus Actus Interveniens

A new intervening act breaks the chain of causation.

45

Falsus in Uno, Falsus in Omnibus

False in one thing, false in everything.

46

Corpus Delicti

Body or substance of the crime.

47

In Pari Delicto

Both parties are equally at fault.

48

Ex Turpi Causa Non Oritur Actio

No action arises from an immoral cause.

49

Nemo Debet Bis Vexari

No person should be tried twice for the same offence.

50

Nullum Crimen Sine Lege

No crime without law.

51

Nulla Poena Sine Lege

No punishment without law.

52

Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum

Let justice be done though the heavens fall.

53

Actio Personalis Moritur Cum Persona

A personal action dies with the person.

54

In Limine

At the threshold or preliminary stage.

55

Lis Pendens

A pending lawsuit.

56

Causa Mortis

In contemplation of death.

57

Per Incuriam

Through lack of care or ignorance of law.

58

Per Se

By itself.

59

Inter Alia

Among other things.

60

Inter Vivos

Between living persons.

61

Mutatis Mutandis

With necessary changes.

62

Suo Motu

On its own motion.

63

Ultra Vires

Beyond legal powers.

64

Intra Vires

Within legal powers.

65

Ab Initio

From the beginning.

66

Ad Hoc

For a particular purpose.

67

Ad Idem

Meeting of minds.

68

Animus Possidendi

Intention to possess.

69

Animus Injuriandi

Intention to cause injury.

70

Animus Furandi

Intention to steal.

71

Animus Revertendi

Intention to return.

72

Consensus Ad Idem

Agreement upon the same thing.

73

Quid Pro Quo

Something for something; exchange of consideration.

74

Pacta Sunt Servanda

Agreements must be kept.

75

Causa Causans

Immediate cause.

76

Causa Sine Qua Non

Cause without which the event would not happen.

77

Volenti Fit Non Injuria

One who consents cannot complain of injury.

78

Jus in Personam

Right enforceable against a specific person.

79

Jus in Rem

Right enforceable against the world at large.

80

In Personam

Against a particular person.

81

In Rem

Against the whole world.

82

Ex Gratia

As a favour, not legally required.

83

Ex Officio

By virtue of office.

84

Pro Bono

For the public good without charge.

85

Habeas Corpus

Produce the detained person before the court.

86

Mandamus

Command issued by a court to perform a public duty.

87

Certiorari

Order quashing an unlawful decision.

88

Prohibition

Preventing a lower court from exceeding jurisdiction.

89

Quo Warranto

By what authority a public office is held.

90

Nolle Prosequi

Formal abandonment of prosecution.

91

Ipso Facto

By the fact itself.

92

Ipso Jure

By operation of law.

93

De Minimis Non Curat Lex

The law does not concern itself with trivial matters.

94

Acta Exteriora Indicant Interiora Secreta

External acts indicate inner intent.

95

Compos Mentis

Of sound mind.

96

Non Compos Mentis

Not of sound mind.

97

Bona Vacantia

Ownerless property belongs to the State.

98

Qui Prior Est Tempore Potior Est Jure

Earlier in time is stronger in law.

99

Vigilantibus Non Dormientibus Jura Subveniunt

Law assists those who are vigilant, not those who sleep on their rights.

100

Fiat Justitia

Let justice be done.