Custom

  • Consuetudo contra rationem introducta potius usurpatio quam consuetudo appellari debet.
  • A custom introduced against reason ought rather to be called a usurpation than a custom.
  • Consuetudo debet esse certa.
  • Custom ought to be fixed.
  • Consuetudo debet esse certa, nam incerta pro nulla (nullius) habetur.
  • Custom ought to be fixed, for if variable it is held as null (or of no account).
  • Consuetudo debet esse certa, nam incerta pro nullis habentur.
  • A custom should be certain, for uncertain things are held as nothing.
  • Consuetudo est altera lex.
  • Custom is another law.
  • Consuetudo est optimus interpres legum.
  • Custom is the best expounder of the law.
  • Consuetudo et communis assuetudo vincit legem non scriptam, si sit specialis; et interpretatur legem scriptam, si lex sit generalis.
  • Custom and common usage overcome the unwritten law if it is special; and interpret the written law if the law is general.
  • Consuetudo ex certa causa rationabili usitata privat communem legem.
  • Custom observed by reason of a certain and reasonable cause supersedes the common law.
  • Consuetudo, licet sit magnae auctoritatis, nunquam tamen praejudicat manifestae veritati.
  • A custom, even if it is of great authority, is never prejudicial to plain truth.
  • Consuetudo loci observanda est.
  • The custom of the place is to be observed.
  • Consuetudo manerii et loci observanda est.
  • The custom of a manor and place is to be observed.
  • Consuetudo neque injuria oriri neque tolli protest.
  • A custom can neither arise nor be abolished by a wrong.
  • Consuetudo non habitur (trahitur) in consequentiam.
  • Custom is not held as (or drawn into) a precedent.
  • Consuetudo praescripta et legitima vincit legem.
  • A prescriptive and lawful custom overrides the law.
  • Consuetudo regni Angliae est lex Angliae.
  • The custom of the kingdom of England is the law of England.
  • Consuetudo semel reprobata non potest amplius induci.
  • A custom once disallowed cannot again be introduced.
  • Consuetudo tollit communem legem.
  • Custom takes away the common law.
  • Consuetudo vincit communem legem.
  • Custom overrules common law.
  • Consuetudo volentes ducit, lex nolentes trahit.
  • Custom leads the willing; law drags the unwilling.
  • Contemporanea consuetudo optimus interpres.
  • Contemporary custom is the best interpreter.
  • Decipit frons prima multos.
  • The first appearance deceives many.
  • Fiat justitia, ruat caelum.
  • Let justice be done though the heavens fall.
  • Fiat prout fieri consuevit, nil temere novandum.
  • Let it be done as it is accustomed to be done; let no innovation be made rashly.
  • In maleficiis voluntas spectatur non exitus.
  • In crimes, the intention is considered, not the outcome.
  • In pari causa possessor potior haberi debet.
  • In an equal case, the possessor should be preferred.
  • Jura publica anteferenda privatis juribus.
  • Public rights are to be preferred to private rights.
  • Nemo punitur pro alieno delicto.
  • No one is punished for another’s crime.
  • Patria potestas in pietate debet, non atrocitate consistere.
  • Parental authority should rest on affection, not severity.
  • Praesumptio hominis valet in lege.
  • A presumption of man is valid in law.
  • Praesumptio juris et de jure.
  • A presumption of law and from the law.
  • Quae ab initio inutilis fuit, ex post facto convalescere non potest.
  • That which was originally void cannot be validated by a subsequent act.
  • Quae lege contraria sunt, vel eidem derogant, non sunt in observantia.
  • That which is contrary to law or derogates from it is not to be observed.
  • Quae male inchoata sunt, paulo post exitum male finiunt.
  • That which is badly begun ends badly.
  • Qui jure suo utitur nemini facit injuriam.
  • He who exercises his own right injures no one.
  • Res judicata pro veritate accipitur.
  • A thing adjudicated is accepted as truth.
  • Omne jus aut consensus fecit, aut necessitas constituit, aut firmavit consuetudo.
  • Every right has been derived from consent, established by necessity, or confirmed by custom.
  • Summa est ratio quae pro religione facit.
  • The highest reasoning is that which favors religion.
  • Summum jus summa injuria.
  • Extreme law is extreme injustice.
  • Suprema lex salus populi.
  • The welfare of the people is the supreme law.
  • Tamdiu assuetudo legitima observanda est quamdiu ratione caret.
  • A lawful custom must be observed so long as it is reasonable.
  • Ubi non est lex, ibi non est transgressio.
  • Where there is no law, there is no transgression.
  • Verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire.
  • Words ought to serve the intention, not the contrary.
  • Voluntas reputatur pro facto.
  • The will is taken for the deed.
  • Lex prospicit, non respicit.
  • The law looks forward, not backward.
  • Lex semper dabit remedium.
  • The law always provides a remedy.
  • Lex specialis derogat generali.
  • A special law overrides a general law.