Tarlac State University

College of Law

Latin maxims

INSTRUCTIONS

Memorize the following latin maxims, among others.

1. Absoluta sententia expositore non indiget - When language of law is

clear, no explanation of it is required.

2. Dura lex sed lex - The law may be harsh, but that is the law.

3. Ego advocatus fiet - I will become a lawyer.

4. Ejusdem generis - of the same kind or specie.

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

6. Mea culpa - through my fault.

7. Nullus commodum (capere) potest de injuria propria sua - No

man should be allowed to take advantage of his own wrong.

8. Nullum crimen sine poena, nulla poena sine lege - There is no crime
without a penalty, and there is no penalty without a law.

9. Ratio Legis - Interpretation according to spirit.

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

11. Ubi lex non distinguit, nec nos distinguere debemus - Where the law
does not distinguish, we should not distinguish.

12. Ut res magis valeat quam pereat - The construction or interpretation to

be sought which gives effect to the whole of the statute- its every word. “The
Constitution is to be interpreted as a whole.”

13. Verba legis - Plain-meaning rule.

14. Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt - The laws aid the
vigilant, not those who slumber on their rights.

GOOD LUCK!