Latin for Lawyers

L ATIN FOR L AWYERS

LEX NON CURAT DE MINIMIS The law does not trouble itself with unimportant matters. LEX NON SCRIPTA [L. lex + non + scribo, scribere / to engrave, draw lines, write] The law which is not written. The unwritten law. Non-statutory law; the law derived from the decisions and opinions of judges and from the customs and usages of society. The common law. See LEX COMMUNIS LEX PATRIAE [L. lex + patrius / relating to the father, fatherland, native] The law of one’s own country. LEX POSTERIOR DEROGAT PRIORI A later law repeals the prior one. LEX PUNIT MENDACIUM [L. lex + pumio, punire / to punish, avenge + mendax, mendacium / lying, lie] The law punishes lies and liars. LEX REPROBAT MORAM [L. mora / delay] The law dislikes delay. LEX SCRIPTA [L. lex + scribo, scribere / to engrave, write] The written law. Statutory or codified law, as opposed to judge-made law. See LEX NON SCRIPTA LEX SEMPER DABIT REMEDIUM [L. lex + semper / always + dare / to give + remedium / remedy, cure] The law always supplies a remedy. LEX SUCCURIT IGNORANTI ET MINORIBUS The law helps those who do not know or understand and also those who are underage. LEX TERRAE [L. lex + terra / the earth, land] The law of the land. LIABILITY [L. ligare / to bind, tie together + habilis / capable of] A word used broadly in the law to describe any duty, obligation or responsi bility, civil or criminal. A debt; a burden; an obligation to perform. In busi ness law, all the debts of and claims against a business. Liabilites are divided into current liabilities, deferred liabilities, contingent liabilities , etc.

219