1. Ab Initio
Meaning: From the very beginning.
Explanation: When an act or agreement is void from the start, it is said to be void ab initio.
Example: If a contract is entered into by a minor, the contract is void ab initio.
2. Ad Hoc
Meaning: For a specific purpose.
Explanation: An arrangement made for a particular situation or case only.
Example: An ad hoc committee is formed to investigate a specific legal issue.
3. Ad Interim
Meaning: Temporary.
Explanation: An order passed by a court which is effective until the final decision.
Example: The court granted an ad interim injunction restraining the construction.
4. Actus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea
Meaning: The act does not make a person guilty unless the intention is also guilty.
Explanation: Criminal liability requires both a wrongful act and a guilty mind.
Example: If a person accidentally causes harm without intention, he is not criminally liable.
5. Injuria Sine Damnum
Meaning: Legal injury without actual damage.
Explanation: Violation of a legal right even if no financial loss occurs.
Example: Unauthorized entry into someone's land is actionable even if no damage is caused.
6. Damnum Sine Injuria
Meaning: Damage without legal injury.
Explanation: Actual loss occurs but no legal right is violated.
Example: A lawful business competition causing loss to another trader is damnum sine injuria.
7. Respondeat Superior
Meaning: Let the master answer.
Explanation: Employer is liable for wrongful acts of employee done during employment.
Example: A company is liable if its driver causes an accident during duty hours.
8. Res Ipsa Loquitur
Meaning: The thing speaks for itself.
Explanation: The facts themselves indicate negligence.
Example: A surgical instrument left inside a patient clearly shows negligence.
9. Caveat Emptor
Meaning: Let the buyer beware.
Explanation: Buyer must check the quality of goods before purchase.
Example: If a buyer purchases defective goods without inspection, the seller is not liable.
10. Res Judicata
Meaning: A matter already decided.
Explanation: A case once decided by a competent court cannot be reopened.
Example: A property dispute decided by court cannot be refiled on the same grounds.
11. Prima Facie
Meaning: At first sight.
Explanation: Based on initial appearance without detailed examination.
Example: The documents show a prima facie case of fraud.
12. Mala Fides
Meaning: In bad faith.
Explanation: Action taken dishonestly or with wrongful intention.
Example: A transfer order passed to harass an employee is mala fide.
13. Bona Fides
Meaning: In good faith.
Explanation: Action taken honestly without intention to deceive.
Example: A purchaser who buys property without knowledge of defects acts in bona fide.
14. Ex Post Facto
Meaning: Retrospective effect.
Explanation: Law that applies to acts done before it was enacted.
Example: A criminal law cannot punish an act done before the law was passed.
15. Ex Parte
Meaning: One-sided.
Explanation: Proceeding conducted in absence of the other party.
Example: The court passed an ex parte injunction as the defendant was absent.
16. Trespass Ab Initio
Meaning: Trespass from the beginning.
Explanation: Lawful entry becomes unlawful due to misuse of authority.
Example: A police officer enters lawfully but abuses power — entry becomes trespass ab initio.
17. Actionable Per Se
Meaning: Actionable by itself.
Explanation: An act which is punishable without proof of actual damage.
Example: Defamation is actionable per se even if no loss is proved.
18. Actus Reus
Meaning: Guilty act.
Explanation: The physical act that constitutes a crime.
Example: Stealing property is the actus reus of theft.
19. De Facto
Meaning: In fact.
Explanation: Something that exists in reality but not legally recognized.
Example: He was acting as the de facto manager of the company.
20. De Jure
Meaning: By law.
Explanation: Something that is legally recognized and lawful.
Example: She is the de jure owner of the property.
21. Ex Gratia
Meaning: As a favour.
Explanation: Payment made voluntarily without legal obligation.
Example: The government paid ex gratia compensation to flood victims.
22. Ex Officio
Meaning: By virtue of office.
Explanation: Authority enjoyed because of holding a particular position.
Example: The District Collector is an ex officio member of the committee.
23. Habeas Corpus
Meaning: To produce the body.
Explanation: A writ issued to produce a detained person before the court.
Example: A habeas corpus petition was filed for illegal detention.
24. In Personam
Meaning: Against a specific person.
Explanation: Rights or proceedings enforceable against a particular individual.
Example: A decree for recovery of money is a right in personam.
25. Mandamus
Meaning: We command.
Explanation: A writ issued to compel a public authority to perform its duty.
Example: The High Court issued mandamus to the authority to issue the license.
26. Mens Rea
Meaning: Guilty mind.
Explanation: Mental intention to commit a crime.
Example: Mens rea is essential for the offence of murder.
27. Per Se
Meaning: By itself.
Explanation: Something that is obvious without further proof.
Example: The act was illegal per se.
28. Certiorari
Meaning: To be certified.
Explanation: A writ issued to quash the order of a lower court or tribunal.
Example: The High Court issued certiorari to cancel the tribunal's order.
29. Quo Warranto
Meaning: By what authority.
Explanation: A writ to challenge the legality of holding a public office.
Example: Quo warranto was issued against illegal appointment.
30. Quid Pro Quo
Meaning: Something in return.
Explanation: Exchange of benefit or favour.
Example: Bribery cases involve quid pro quo.
31. Volenti Non Fit Injuria
Meaning: No injury to a willing person.
Explanation: A person who consents to risk cannot claim compensation.
Example: A player injured during a match cannot sue the organizer.
32. Right in Rem
Meaning: Right against the world.
Explanation: A right enforceable against everyone.
Example: Ownership of property is a right in rem.
33. Right in Personam
Meaning: Right against a person.
Explanation: A right enforceable against a specific individual.
Example: Rights arising from contract are in personam.
34. Pacta Sunt Servanda
Meaning: Agreements must be kept.
Explanation: Lawfully made agreements are binding.
Example: Parties must follow the contract terms.
35. Pendente Lite
Meaning: Pending litigation.
Explanation: Something done during the pendency of a suit.
Example: Maintenance was granted pendente lite.
36. Actio Personalis Moritur Cum Persona
Meaning: A personal action dies with the person.
Explanation: If the injured person or the wrongdoer dies, the personal right to sue also ends.
Example: A claim for defamation ends on the death of either party.
37. Actori Incumbit Onus Probandi
Meaning: The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff.
Explanation: The person who brings the case must prove it.
Example: In a civil suit, the plaintiff must prove his claim.
38. Actus Me Invito Factus Non Est Mens Actus
Meaning: An act done against my will is not my act.
Explanation: An act done under compulsion is not voluntary.
Example: A confession made under threat is not valid.
39. Amicus Curiae
Meaning: Friend of the court.
Explanation: A lawyer appointed by the court to assist it.
Example: The Supreme Court appointed an amicus curiae in a public interest case.
40. Ante Litem Motam
Meaning: Before litigation begins.
Explanation: Statements made before a dispute arises.
Example: A document signed ante litem motam has higher evidentiary value.
41. Assentio Mentium
Meaning: Meeting of minds.
Explanation: Mutual consent of parties, essential for a valid contract.
Example: Without assentio mentium, a contract is void.
42. Audi Alteram Partem
Meaning: Hear the other side.
Explanation: No one should be condemned without being heard.
Example: Dismissal without hearing violates audi alteram partem.
43. Bona Vacantia
Meaning: Ownerless goods.
Explanation: Property with no legal owner belongs to the State.
Example: Property left without heirs becomes bona vacantia.
44. Boni Judicis Est Ampliare Jurisdictionem
Meaning: It is the duty of a good judge to enlarge jurisdiction.
Explanation: Courts should interpret laws liberally to provide justice.
Example: A judge expanded jurisdiction to grant relief.
45. Caveat Actor
Meaning: Let the doer beware.
Explanation: A person acting must take responsibility for consequences.
Example: A careless builder is liable under caveat actor.
46. Caveat Venditor
Meaning: Let the seller beware.
Explanation: Seller is responsible for defects in goods sold.
Example: Defective goods sold knowingly attract caveat venditor.
47. Communis Hostis Omnium
Meaning: Common enemy of all.
Explanation: A person dangerous to society at large.
Example: A terrorist is communis hostis omnium.
48. Corpus Delicti
Meaning: Body of the crime.
Explanation: Proof that a crime has actually occurred.
Example: A murder conviction requires proof of corpus delicti.
49. Crimen Trahit Personam
Meaning: Crime follows the person.
Explanation: A person is punishable wherever the crime is committed.
Example: An Indian citizen committing offence abroad is liable under IPC.
50. De Minimis Non Curat Lex
Meaning: Law does not concern itself with trifles.
Explanation: Courts ignore insignificant matters.
Example: Trivial injury was dismissed under this principle.
51. Doli Capax
Meaning: Capable of crime.
Explanation: Child capable of forming criminal intent.
Example: A child above 12 years may be doli capax.
52. Doli Incapax
Meaning: Incapable of crime.
Explanation: A child incapable of forming criminal intent.
Example: A child below 7 years is doli incapax.
53. Donatio Mortis Causa
Meaning: Gift because of death.
Explanation: Gift made in expectation of death.
Example: A person gifting property before death is donatio mortis causa.
54. Falsus in Uno, Falsus in Omnibus
Meaning: False in one thing, false in everything.
Explanation: If a witness lies once, his entire testimony may be rejected.
Example: Indian courts do not strictly follow this rule.
55. Factum Probandum
Meaning: Fact to be proved.
Explanation: Main fact in issue.
Example: Whether theft occurred is factum probandum.
56. Factum Probans
Meaning: Fact proving another fact.
Explanation: Evidence used to prove the main fact.
Example: Witness testimony is factum probans.
57. Fraus Est Celare Fraudem
Meaning: Concealment of fraud is fraud.
Explanation: Hiding fraud amounts to committing fraud.
Example: Concealing forged documents is fraud.
58. Functus Officio
Meaning: Having no further authority.
Explanation: Once an authority has performed its function, it cannot act again on the same matter.
Example: After passing judgment, the court becomes functus officio.
59. Furiosi Nulla Voluntas Est
Meaning: A person of unsound mind has no free will.
Explanation: A mentally ill person cannot form valid intention.
Example: A lunatic cannot enter into a valid contract.
60. Furiosus Absentis Loco Est
Meaning: A madman is treated as absent.
Explanation: Law treats a person of unsound mind as incapable of understanding actions.
Example: Acts of an insane person are treated differently under IPC.
61. Furiosi Furore Suo Punitur
Meaning: A madman is punished by his own madness.
Explanation: Mental illness itself is considered punishment.
Example: An insane person is exempted from criminal liability.
62. Ignorantia Facti Excusat
Meaning: Ignorance of fact is an excuse.
Explanation: A person acting without knowledge of a fact may not be liable.
Example: Killing under mistaken belief of self-defence.
63. Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat
Meaning: Ignorance of law is no excuse.
Explanation: Lack of legal knowledge does not exempt liability.
Example: A person cannot escape punishment by claiming ignorance of law.
64. Ipso Facto
Meaning: By the fact itself.
Explanation: Something happens automatically.
Example: Breach of condition ipso facto cancels the agreement.
65. Inter Alia
Meaning: Among other things.
Explanation: Used to mention a partial list.
Example: The Act provides inter alia for punishment.
66. Inter Vivos
Meaning: Between living persons.
Explanation: Gift made during lifetime.
Example: A gift deed is transfer inter vivos.
67. Interest Reipublicae Ut Sit Finis Litium
Meaning: It is in public interest that litigation ends.
Explanation: Endless litigation should be avoided.
Example: Doctrine of res judicata is based on this principle.
68. Jus Cogens
Meaning: Compelling law.
Explanation: Mandatory norms of international law.
Example: Prohibition of genocide is jus cogens.
69. Jus Naturale
Meaning: Natural law.
Explanation: Law based on morality and reason.
Example: Right to life reflects natural law.
70. Jus Necessitatis
Meaning: Law of necessity.
Explanation: Act done under unavoidable necessity is justified.
Example: Breaking a door to save life.
71. Jus Non Scriptum
Meaning: Unwritten law.
Explanation: Customary law.
Example: Customs governing tribes.
72. Jus Scriptum
Meaning: Written law.
Explanation: Codified law enacted by legislature.
Example: Indian Penal Code.
73. Justitia Nemini Neganda Est
Meaning: Justice should be denied to no one.
Explanation: Courts must provide justice to all.
Example: Free legal aid ensures justice for the poor.
74. Jus Soli
Meaning: Right of soil.
Explanation: Citizenship by place of birth.
Example: Child born in a country gets citizenship.
75. Jus Sanguinis
Meaning: Right of blood.
Explanation: Citizenship by descent.
Example: Child gets citizenship of parents.
76. Lex Fori
Meaning: Law of the forum.
Explanation: Law of the country where court is situated.
Example: Indian Evidence Act applies in Indian courts.
77. Lex Non a Rege Est Violanda
Meaning: Law cannot be violated even by king.
Explanation: Everyone is subject to law.
Example: President also bound by Constitution.
78. Locus Standi
Meaning: Right to be heard.
Explanation: Legal capacity to file a case.
Example: PIL relaxed locus standi.
79. Malum in Se
Meaning: Wrong in itself.
Explanation: Acts inherently immoral.
Example: Murder is malum in se.
80. Malum Prohibitum
Meaning: Wrong because prohibited by law.
Explanation: Acts illegal only because law forbids them.
Example: Traffic violations.
81. Mutatis Mutandis
Meaning: With necessary changes.
Explanation: A provision applied with required modifications.
Example: The rules apply mutatis mutandis to appeals.
82. Nemo Bis Punitur Pro Eodem Delicto
Meaning: No one should be punished twice for the same offence.
Explanation: Protects against double punishment.
Example: Article 20(2) of the Constitution follows this principle.
83. Nemo Debet Bis Vexari Pro Una et Eadem Causa
Meaning: No one should be tried twice for the same cause.
Explanation: Prevents double prosecution.
Example: A second trial on same facts is barred.
84. Nemo Judex in Causa Sua
Meaning: No one should be a judge in his own case.
Explanation: Ensures impartial justice.
Example: A judge related to a party cannot hear the case.
85. Nemo Moriturus Praesumitur Mentire
Meaning: A dying person is not presumed to lie.
Explanation: Basis of dying declaration.
Example: Courts rely on dying declaration.
86. Nemo Potest Esse Tenens et Dominus
Meaning: No one can be both tenant and landlord.
Explanation: Same person cannot hold conflicting positions.
Example: Owner cannot claim tenancy in his own property.
87. Nolle Prosequi
Meaning: To discontinue prosecution.
Explanation: Formal withdrawal of a case by prosecutor.
Example: State withdrew prosecution via nolle prosequi.
88. Nullum Crimen Sine Lege, Nulla Poena Sine Lege
Meaning: No crime or punishment without law.
Explanation: Act must be criminalized by law beforehand.
Example: No punishment without statutory offence.
89. Nunc Pro Tunc
Meaning: Now for then.
Explanation: Order given retrospective effect.
Example: Correction made nunc pro tunc.
90. Obiter Dictum
Meaning: Statement said in passing.
Explanation: Judge's remark not binding as precedent.
Example: Court's observation was obiter dictum.
91. Onus Probandi
Meaning: Burden of proof.
Explanation: Duty to prove facts in issue.
Example: Onus probandi lies on prosecution.
92. Pari Passu
Meaning: On equal footing.
Explanation: Equal treatment or ranking.
Example: Creditors paid pari passu.
93. Particeps Criminis
Meaning: Partner in crime.
Explanation: Person participating in offence.
Example: All accomplices are particeps criminis.
94. Per Curiam
Meaning: By the court.
Explanation: Decision delivered by court collectively.
Example: The judgment was per curiam.
95. Persona Non Grata
Meaning: Unacceptable person.
Explanation: Person officially rejected.
Example: Diplomat declared persona non grata.
96. Potior Est Conditio Possidentis
Meaning: Position of possessor is stronger.
Explanation: Possession favours the holder.
Example: Law presumes owner in possession.
97. Per Incuriam
Meaning: Through lack of care.
Explanation: Decision given ignoring binding law.
Example: Judgment declared per incuriam.
98. Quantum Meruit
Meaning: As much as deserved.
Explanation: Payment for work actually done.
Example: Contractor claimed quantum meruit.
99. Qui Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se
Meaning: He who acts through another acts himself.
Explanation: Principal liable for agent's act.
Example: Employer liable for employee's negligence.
100. Qui Peccat Ebrius Luat Sobrius
Meaning: One who sins drunk shall be punished sober.
Explanation: Intoxication is no defence.
Example: Drunk offender punished under IPC.
101. Qui Sentit Commodum, Sentire Debet et Onus
Meaning: He who enjoys benefit must bear burden.
Explanation: Advantage carries responsibility.
Example: Property owner bears tax liability.
102. Quod Necessitas Non Habet Legem
Meaning: Necessity knows no law.
Explanation: Emergency justifies otherwise illegal acts.
Example: Breaking door to save life.
103. Ratio Decidendi
Meaning: Reason for decision.
Explanation: Binding principle of a judgment.
Example: Lower courts follow ratio decidendi.
104. Res Judicata Pro Veritate Accipitur
Meaning: Judicial decision is accepted as true.
Explanation: Final judgment is conclusive.
Example: Decided case cannot be reopened.
105. Rex Non Potest Peccare
Meaning: The king can do no wrong.
Explanation: Sovereign immunity principle.
Example: State immunity in sovereign acts.
106. Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex
Meaning: Welfare of people is supreme law.
Explanation: Public interest overrides individual interest.
Example: Emergency laws justified on this principle.
107. Sine Die
Meaning: Without a fixed date.
Explanation: Adjournment for indefinite time.
Example: Case adjourned sine die.
108. Sine Qua Non
Meaning: Essential condition.
Explanation: Without which thing cannot exist.
Example: Mens rea is sine qua non of crime.
109. Suo Motu
Meaning: On its own motion.
Explanation: Court acts without petition.
Example: Court took suo motu cognizance.
110. Uberrima Fides
Meaning: Utmost good faith.
Explanation: Highest level of honesty required.
Example: Insurance contracts require uberrima fides.
111. Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium
Meaning: Where there is a right, there is a remedy.
Explanation: Legal right must have legal remedy.
Example: Tort law follows this maxim.