ACTA EXTERIORA INDICANT INTERIORA SECRETA

A thing adjudged

The legal maxim is of latin origin meaning a matter or thing that has already been judicially decided on the basis of its merits and the same matter cannot be litigated between the two parties again. The maxim is of the belief that for one particular claim between litigants, one judicial contest is enough and reexamination of the same matter is not in the interest of the society. With the rapidly increasing pressure on the judiciary with rising judicial work, attending to a particular matter to one single contest is a reasonable restriction adopted.

“The person who consents cannot complain.”

It is a Latin maxim, which means that the person who voluntarily gives consent for any harm to suffer would not be liable to claim any damages for the same. This consent could be used as a good defence against the plaintiff. Hence, the person who himself waived or abandoned his right voluntarily, cannot have any claim over it.

Not by violence, stealth or entreaty

Nec, Vi, Nec Clam, Nec Precario is a Latin legal maxim which means that, “not by violence, stealth or entreaty”. In other words it means that, ‘not by force, nor stealth, nor the license of the owner’. It is often referred in the context of adverse possession and other land law issues.