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Legal Maxims are an integral part of the legal aptitude section of CLAT. In this section, questions are asked to test candidates' legal knowledge. Legal Maxims are categorized under the legal knowledge part of CLAT. The candidates can expect 4-5 questions from this section.

Legal Maxims | Legal Reasoning for CLAT

Legal Maxims is a well-established idea related to legal approach, proposal, doctrine, etc.

  • Legal Maxims are usually expressed in Latin, as most of these terms originated from the Medieval period in the European states and employed Latin as the official language.
  • However, the principles of Legal Maxims guide the courts and country's law fairly so that the courts can decide the legal issues perfectly and unbiasedly.
  • Such principles of Legal Maxims do not have legal authority but when the courts apply it in deciding issues of the legislature, including such maxims while framing laws, they take the form of law and form the basis of sound judgments.

Below we have provided a list of the top 50 Important Legal Maxims for CLAT. 

Ab initioFrom the beginning
Actus reusA guilty deed or act
Ad hocFor this purpose
AddendumA thing to be added
AffidavitA sworn written statement
usable as evidence in court
AlibiAt another place, elsewhere
Amicus curiaeA friend of the Court
Antebefore
Audi alteram
partem
Hear the other side
Bona fide

Sincere, in good faith, i. e. well- intentioned, fairly

Caveat emptor

Let the buyer beware. (He buys

at his own risk)

CaveatLet him/her beware
Consensus ad
idem
Agreement as to the same things
CorpusBody
Corrigenda

A list of things to be corrected.

(in a book)

Curriculum vitaeThe course of one's life.
Damnum sine
injuria
Damage without legal injury
De factoIn fact, Something that is
automatically accepted
De jureRightful, by right
De minimis lex
non curat
The law does not notice trifling
matters
De novoStarting afresh, Anew
Delegate non
potest delegare
A delegated authority cannot be
again delegated
Ex gratiaOut of kindness, voluntary
Ex nudo pacto
actio non oritur
No action arises on a contract
without a consideration.
Ex parteProceeding brought by one
person in the absence of another
Ex post factoBy reason of a subsequent act
Ex turpi causa
non oritur actio
No action arises on an immoral
contract.
FactumAn act or deed
Habeas corpusYou must have the body, i.e.
You must justify an
imprisonment
IdemThe same person or thing
Ignorantia facti
excusat,
ignorantia juris
non excusat
Ignorance of fact excuses,
ignorance of law does not
excuse.
In cameraIn private
In limineAt the outset, on the threshold
In personamAgainst the person
In situIn its place
Injuria non
excusat injuriam
A wrong does not excuse a
wrong.
Inter aliaAmongst other things
InterimTemporary, in the meanwhile
Ipso factoBy that very fact
JusA right that is recognised in law.
Jus naturaleNatural justice.
Lex foriThe law of the forum (country)
Lex lociThe law of the place
Lex scriptaThe written law
Locus standiPlace of standing
Mala fideIn bad faith
MandamusWe command
Modus operandi
(m.o.)
Way of operating
Mutatis mutandis

The necessary changes having

been made

Necessitas non
habet legem
Necessity has no law
Nemo debet bisNo one can be twice punished

 

puniri pro uno
delicto
for the same offence
Non compus
mentis
Not of sound mind and
understanding
Obiter dictumSomething said in passing
Onus probandiThe burden of proof
Per capitaPer head
Per seBy or in itself
Prima facieOn the face of it, At first sight
Pro bono (pro
bono publico)
For the good of the public
Pro rataIn proportion
 Qua In so far as
Quantum meruitAs much as he/she deserved
QuasiAs if
Qui facit per
alium, facit per
se
He who acts through another
acts himself
Qui non
improbat,
approbat
He who does not disapprove,
approves
Quid pro quo

Consideration. Something for

something.

QuorumOf whom
Ratio decidendiThe reason for the decision
ReferendumSomething to be referred
Res judicataThing already judged upon
Salus populi est
suprema lex
The safety of the people is the
supreme law.
Sine dieWithout a day (indefinitely)
Sine qua nonSomething/someone
indispensable
Stare decisisTo stand by decisions
(precedents).
Status quoThe current state of being
Sub judiceBefore a court
Sub poenaUnder penalty of law
Sui generisOf his/her/its kind, Unique
Suppressio veriThe suppression of the truth
SupraAbove or on an earlier page
Uberrimae fideiOf the utmost good faith
Ubi jus ibi
remedium
Where there is a right there is a
remedy
Ultra vires

Beyond the powers or legal

authority

VerbatimWord by word, exactly
VetoI forbid
Vox populiPopular opinion

 

We have shared some important questions for Legal Maxims for CLAT below, which are commonly asked in the CLAT. Make sure that you also go through their solution properly to understand these terms.

1. Actionable Per se

  1. For the case or end at hand
  2. The meeting of minds
  3. In good faith
  4. The very act is punishable; no proof of damage is required

Answer: (d) actions that do not require the allegation or proof of additional facts to constitute a cause of action. Such a tort is actionable simply because it happened 


2. Assentio Mentium

  1. The meeting of minds
  2. In good faith
  3. An argument directed at the person
  4. Injury without damage

Answer: (a) Latin definition for a meeting of minds regarding the terms and conditions of the contract.

3. Pacta sunt servanda

  1. Treaties are legally binding
  2. Treaties are legally binding only to the contracting parties
  3. Goods without an owner
  4. With the intention of making a will

Answer: (a) A Latin word for agreements is binding. It is a basic principle of civil, international, and canon law. The principle refers to private contracts, stressing that contained clauses are to be termed as the law between the parties.

The document Legal Maxims | Legal Reasoning for CLAT is a part of the CLAT Course Legal Reasoning for CLAT.
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FAQs on Legal Maxims - Legal Reasoning for CLAT

1. What are legal maxims?
Ans. Legal maxims are Latin phrases or expressions that are commonly used in the field of law. These phrases are used to express a legal principle or concept in a concise and precise manner. Legal maxims are often used in courtrooms, legal documents, and legal arguments. They are an important part of legal language and are used to convey specific meanings that are understood within the legal community.
2. Why are legal maxims important for CLAT?
Ans. Legal maxims are important for CLAT because they are frequently used in legal reasoning and analysis. CLAT is an entrance examination for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs, and it tests a candidate's knowledge of various legal concepts and principles. Familiarity with legal maxims can help a candidate understand and interpret legal texts and cases more effectively. Moreover, questions related to legal maxims are often asked in CLAT, making it important for candidates to be well-versed in these phrases.
3. What are some important legal maxims that a CLAT aspirant should know?
Ans. Some important legal maxims that a CLAT aspirant should know include "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" (the act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty), "audi alteram partem" (hear the other side), "caveat emptor" (buyer beware), "ignorantia juris non excusat" (ignorance of the law is no excuse), and "res ipsa loquitur" (the thing speaks for itself). These legal maxims are frequently used in legal reasoning and analysis, and a thorough understanding of their meanings can be helpful for CLAT aspirants.
4. How can a CLAT aspirant prepare for questions related to legal maxims?
Ans. To prepare for questions related to legal maxims, a CLAT aspirant can start by memorizing the most commonly used phrases and their meanings. It is also important to understand the context in which these phrases are used and how they apply to various legal situations. Practice questions related to legal maxims can be found in CLAT study materials and previous years' question papers, and solving these questions can help a candidate become more familiar with these phrases. Additionally, candidates can seek guidance from legal experts and mentors to clarify any doubts or questions they may have related to legal maxims.
5. Can legal maxims be used in legal arguments or documents written in languages other than Latin?
Ans. Yes, legal maxims can be used in legal arguments or documents written in languages other than Latin. While most legal maxims are in Latin, many of these phrases have been translated into other languages and are used in legal systems around the world. It is important to note that the meaning of a legal maxim may differ slightly depending on the language in which it is used, and it is important to understand the nuances of these phrases in the context of the legal system in which they are being used.
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