Saturday, May 24, 2025

Table of Indian Legal Maxims, Cases, and Key Points

 

๐Ÿ“‘ Table of Indian Legal Maxims, Cases, and Key Points

MaximLandmark CaseKey Point / Principle
Ubi jus ibi remedium (Where there is a right, there is a remedy)Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P. (2014) 2 SCC 1Right to register FIR when a cognizable offence is reported; remedy must follow when a right is infringed.
Audi alteram partem (Hear the other side)Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) 1 SCC 248Government action affecting fundamental rights must follow principles of natural justice, including fair hearing.
Nemo judex in causa sua (No one should be a judge in their own cause)A.K. Kraipak v. Union of India (1969) 2 SCC 262Decision-making process must be free of bias; no one can decide a case where they have personal interest.
Res ipsa loquitur (The thing speaks for itself)Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Subhagwanti (1966) AIR SC 1750Collapse of municipal clock tower: the mere occurrence of such an accident indicates negligence without direct evidence.
Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea (An act alone doesn’t make one guilty without a guilty mind)State of Maharashtra v. Mayer Hans George (1965) AIR SC 722Criminal liability generally requires both act (actus reus) and guilty mind (mens rea), unless strict liability applies.
Volenti non fit injuria (To a willing person, no injury is done)(Based on common law, applied in India; e.g., sports injury cases)When someone voluntarily accepts a risk (e.g., spectator at a dangerous event), they can’t later claim damages for injury from that risk.
Ignorantia juris non excusat (Ignorance of law is no excuse)M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak Case) (1987) 1 SCC 395Industries handling hazardous materials have strict liability; they can’t escape liability by claiming they didn’t know the law.
Qui facit per alium facit per se (He who acts through another does the act himself)State of Rajasthan v. Smt. Shekhu & Ors. (2004) 12 SCC 211A principal (or employer) is liable for the authorized acts of their agent or employee.
Salus populi suprema lex (Welfare of the people is the supreme law)K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) 10 SCC 1Public welfare can justify reasonable restrictions on rights like privacy; balance between individual rights and public interest.
Expressio unius est exclusio alterius (Express mention of one excludes others)B. Shama Rao v. UT of Pondicherry (1967) AIR SC 1480When the law explicitly lists certain cases, it is implied that others are excluded; used in statutory interpretation.

No comments:

Post a Comment