Legal Maxim

Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea – An act does not make a person guilty unless there is a guilty mind (criminal intent).

Audi alteram partem – Hear the other side (principle of natural justice ensuring a fair hearing).

Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa – No one should be a judge in their own case (rule against bias).

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing speaks for itself (used in negligence cases where the act itself implies negligence).

Ubi jus ibi remedium – Where there is a right, there is a remedy.

Ignorantia juris non excusat – Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Fiat justitia ruat caelum – Let justice be done though the heavens fall.

Volenti non fit injuria – No injury is done to a willing person (used in cases of consent).

Ex turpi causa non oritur actio – No action arises from a wrongful cause (one cannot seek legal remedy from their own wrongdoing).

Lex talionis – The law of retaliation (principle of retributive justice, "an eye for an eye").