Legal maxim

A legal principle expressed in the form of a proverb. It is also called a legal maxim. There are abstract ones such as "Ius est ars boni et aequi" (Latin, same below), general principles of law such as "Pacta sunt servanda" (Agreement is binding), "Bad law is law" (Dura lex, sed lex) and "Lex posterior derogat priori" (Later law abolishes earlier law), and principles related to each legal field such as "In dubio pro reo" (In case of doubt, the benefit of the accused is given) and "Qui tacet, consentire videtur" (He who remains silent is deemed to consent). In some cases, legal maxims are written into law as they are, such as "The disposition of the appurtenant shall be subject to the disposition of the master" (Civil Code Article 87), but just because they are legal maxims does not mean they are always correct.

[Ryuichi Nagao]

"Legal Maxims a la Carte - An Introduction to Living Law" by Mitsuzo Shibata (1986, Nippon Hyoronsha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

法原則を諺(ことわざ)の形で言い表したもの。法格言ともいう。「法は善と衡平(こうへい)の術なり」Ius est ars boni et aequi.（ラテン語。以下同）のような抽象的なものから、「合意は拘束する」Pacta sunt servanda.、「悪法も法なり」Dura lex, sed lex.、「後法は前法を廃す」Lex posterior derogat priori.のような法の一般原則を述べるもの、「疑わしきは被告人の利益に」In dubio pro reo.、「沈黙する者は同意するものとみなされる」Qui tacet, consentire videtur.など各法領域に関する原則などがある。「従物は、主物の処分に従う」（民法87条）など、法格言がそのまま条文となる場合もあるが、法格言だからといってつねに正しいとは限らない。

［長尾龍一］

『柴田光蔵著『法格言ア・ラ・カルト――活ける法学入門』（1986・日本評論社）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例