Important Legal Maxims every lawyer should know

 ab initio-from the beginning.

 actus reus- Part of what proves criminal liability

 ad hominem-Attacking an opponent's character rather than answering his argument.

 affidavit-Oh we all know this one!

 animus possidendi – It means intention to possess.

 bona fide-Means in good faith.

 Caveat- Basically means a warning.

 sine qua non – Means an indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient.

 dictum- A statement given some weight or consideration due to the respect given the

person making it.

 ejusdem generis-It is one the aids to interpretation of Statutes.

 ex parte- A decision reached, or case brought, by or for one party without the other

party being present.

 ibid. – Essential for writing legal research papers.

 in curia- In court

 in loco parentis– Means In the place of a parent, basically a guardian.

 in pari materia- In the same matter

 in re- Means in the matter .

 ipso facto-Means by the fact itself.

 Audi alteram partem: Hear the other side.

 Ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat: Ignorance of fact excuses,

ignorance of law does not excuse.

 De minimis lex non curat: The law does not notice trifling matters.

 lacunae-Oh well, everyone has those!

 lis pendens- Suit pending

 locus standi– Basically determines why a particular person is coming to court to seek

relief.

 male fide- Those intentions!

 modus operandi– You already know this one.

 mutatis mutandis- In simple words, having been changed that which needed to be

changed.

 noscitur a sociis- An ambiguous word or term can be clarified by considering the whole

context in which it is used, without having to define the term itself.

 obiter dictum-Not the judgment but the observations made by the court.

 Ubi jus ibi remedium: This translates as there is no right without remedy.

 pacta sunt servanda – Also part of International Law . Basically means agreements must

be kept

 ratio decidendi- The point in a legal proceeding, or the legal precedent so involved,

which led to the final decision being what it was.

 res judicata- A matter that has been finally adjudicated, meaning no further appeals or

legal actions by the involved parties is now possible

 sui generis-When a special and unique interpretation of a case or authority is found to

be necessary.

 supra-Also used to increase the number of citations in a legal research paper like Ibid

 Volenti non fit injuria: An injury is not done to one that consents to it.

 Stare decisis: To stand by decisions.

 Quod per me non possum, nec per alium: What a person cannot do by himself, he

cannot do through another person.

 Pacta privata juri publico non derogare possunt: A private contract cannot derogate

from the law.

 Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa: No one can be a judge in his own cause.