Gilbert S.

Vasquez 21 November 2020

2020 – 0002 Atty. Angel Chona Grace I. Valero-Nunez

Latin Legal Maxims

1. Ad proximum antecedens fiat relation nisi impediatur setentia – relative words refer to the
nearest antecedents, unless the context otherwise requires.

2. Argumentum a contrario Negative – opposite doctrine; what is expressed puts an end to what is
implied

3. Distingue Tempra Et Concordabis Jura – If two or more statutes on the same subject were
enacted at different times and under different conditions and circumstances, their interpretation
should be in accordance with the circumstances or conditions peculiar to each.

4. Distingue tempora et concordabis jura – distinguish times and you will harmonize the law

5. Exceptio firmat regulam in casibus non exceptis – a thing not being excepted must be regarded
as coming within the purview of the general rule

6. Ex dolo malo non oritur actio – No man can be allowed to found a claim upon his own
wrongdoing

7. Ex necessitate legis – By necessary implication of law

8. Falsa demonstratio non nocet, cum de corpore constat – False description does not preclude
construction nor vitiate the meaning of the stature

9. Favores ampliandi sunt; odia restringenda – Penal laws which are favorable to the accused are
given retroactive effect

10. Generale dictum generaliter est interpretandum – A general statement is understood in a general
sense

11. Generalia verba sunt generaliter intelligenda – What is generally spoken shall be generally
understood

12. hoc quidem perquam durum est sed ita lex scripta est – The law may be exceedingly hard, but
so the law is written

13. impossibilium nulla obligatio est – There is no obligation to do impossible things

14. in eo quod plus sit semper inest et minus – the grant of a greater power necessarily includes the
lesser power

15. interest reipublicae ut sit finis litium – Public interest requires that by the very nature of things
there must be an end to a legal controversy
16. interpretare et concordare legibus est optimus interpretandi modus – every statute must be so
construed and harmonized with other statutes as to form a uniform system of jurisprudence

17. leges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant – A later statute which is repugnant to an earlier
statute is deemed to have abrogated the earlier one on the same subject matter

18. Lex de futuro, judex de praterito – The law provides for the future, the judge for the past.

19. Maledicta est exposito quae corrumpit textum – It is dangerous construction which is against
the text.

20. Nova constitutio futuris formam imponere debet non praeteritis – A new statute should affect
the future, not the past.

21. Pari Materia – All statutes relating to the same subject, or having the same general purpose,
should be read and construed together as if they constituted one law.

22. Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat – In interpreting a statute, care should be taken that every
part or word thereof should be given effect since the law making body is presumed to know the
meaning of the words employed in the statute and to have used them advisely.