MH CET 3-Year

Top 15 Legal Maxims (Must Know)

In the MH CET Law exam, these usually appear as “Match the following” or “Meaning of” questions.

Maxim	Meaning
Ab Initio	From the beginning (e.g., a void contract).
Audi Alteram Partem	No person shall be condemned unheard.
Bona Fide	In good faith; genuine intention.
Caveat Emptor	Let the buyer beware.
Damnum Sine Injuria	Damage without legal injury.
Injuria Sine Damno	Legal injury without actual damage.
De Facto	In fact or reality.
De Jure	By law; legally recognized.
Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat	Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Mens Rea	A guilty mind (criminal intent).
Actus Reus	A guilty act (the physical element of crime).
Res Ipsa Loquitur	The thing speaks for itself.
Quid Pro Quo	Something for something.
Locus Standi	The right to bring a legal action in court.
Amicus Curiae	A friend of the court.

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