STARTING WITH 'A'
- A fortiori – for a strong reason.
- A priori – from the antecedent to the consequent.
- A vinculo matrimoni– from the bond of matrimony.
- Ab extra – from outside.
- Ab initio – from the start or inception. From the first act.
- Absoluta sententia expositore non indiget– An absolute judgment needs no expositor (a person that explains complicated ideas or theories).
- Abundans cautela non nocet – Abundant or extreme caution does no harm.
- Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale– An accessory doesn’t draw, but follows its principal.
- Accessorius sequitur – an accessory to the crime can not be guilty of a more serious crime than the principal offender.
- Acta exteriora iudicant interiora secreta– Outward acts indicate the inward intent/secret.
- Actio non accrevit infra sex annos– The action has not accrued within six years.
- Actio non datur non damnificato– An action isn’t given to one who isn’t injured.
- Actio personalis moritur cum persona – a personal/private right of action dies with the person.
- Action mixta – mixed action.
- Actionable per se – the very act is punishable and no proof of injury/damage is required.
- Actiones legis– Law suits.
- Actori incumbit onus probandi – the burden of proof lies on the plaintiff/litigator.
- Actus curiae neminem gravabit – act of the courts, prejudice no man.
- Actus Dei Nemini Injuriam– Law holds no man chargeable for the Act of God.
- Actus nemini facit injuriam– The act of the law does no wrong to anyone.
- Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea – an act doesn’t make a someone guilty unless there be a criminal intent.
- Actus reus – Wrongful act. A guilty deed or act.
- Ad ea quae frequentius acciduunt jura adaptantur– The laws are adapted to those cases which occur/comes more frequently.
- Ad hoc – for the particular end or case at hand / For this purpose.
- Ad idem – at the identical point.
- Ad infinitum – forever, without limit, to infinity.
- Ad litem – pertaining to the case at law.
- Ad perpetuam rei memoriam– For a perpetual memorial of the matter.
- Ad quaestionem facti non respondent judices; ad quaestionem legis non respondent juratores– The judges don’t answer to a ques. of fact; the jury don’t answer to a ques. of Law.
- Ad valorem – to the value or based on value.
- Aedificare in tuo proprio solo non licet quod alteri noceat– It isn’t lawful to build on one’s own land what may be injurious to another person.
- Aequitas legem sequitur – equity follows the law.
- Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem – Equity never contradicts the law.
- Alibi– At another place, elsewhere.
- Alienatio rei praefertur juri accrescendi – Alienation is preferred by law instead of accumulation.
- Alieni juris – of another’s right.
- Aliunde – from another/different source.
- Allegans Contraria Non Est Audiendus – one is not be heard who alleges things contradictory to each other. (The principle of Estoppel)
- Allegans suam turpitudinem non est audiendus – One alleging his own infamy isn’t to be heard.
- Allegatio contra factum non est admittenda – An allegation contrary to a deed isn’t to be heard.
- Alter ego – A second identity living within an individual.
- Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est – An ambiguity is most strongly construed/used against the party using it.
- Ambiguitas verborum patens nulla verificatione excluditur – A patent ambiguity is never helped by averment.
- Amicus curiae – a friend of court or member of the bar who is appointed to help the court.
- Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem – The laws of England are favorable in every case to liberty.
- Animo furandi – With an intention of stealing/theft.
- Animo testandi – with an intention of creating a will.
- Animus possidendi – intention to possess.
- Ante – before.
- Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere solebat – Water runs and ought to run.
- Arbitrium est judicium– An award is a judgment.
- Arbor dum crescit; lignum cum crescere nescit – A tree while it grows, and will be wood when it cannot grow.
- Argumentum ab auctoritate fortissimum est in lege – An argument drawn from authority is the strongest in law.
- Argumentum ab impossibilii plurimum valet in lege – An argument from impossibility is extremely strong in law.
- Argumentum ad hominem – An argument directed to a someone/person.
- Argumentum ad ignoratiam – An argument based upon ignorance (i.e., of one’s adversary).
- Arma in armatos sumere jura sinunt – The laws permit the taking on of arms against the armed.
- Assentio mentium – The meeting of minds, i.e., mutual assent.
- Assignatus utitur jure auctoris– an assignee is clothed with the rights of his assignee / principal
- Audi alteram partem – hear the opposite/other side (a principal of natural justice). / No man shall be condemned unheard.
- Aula regis – The King’s Court.
- Autrefois acquit – previously acquitted / antecedently innocent.