Actus rile invito factus, non est mcus actus. An act done by me against my will is not my act. Brae. 101 b.
Actus non reum tacit nisi mem; sit rea. An act does not make a person guilty unless his intention be guilty also. (This maxim applies only in crim inal cases ; in civil matters it is otherwise.) Broom, Max. 306, 367, 807, n. ; 7 Term 514 ; 3 Bingh. N. C. 34, 468 ; 6 M. & G. 639 ; 3 C. B. 229 ; 5 id. 380; 9 Cl. & F. 631; 4 N. Y. 159, 163; L. R. 2 C. C. R. 160 (a very full case). It has been said that this is "tbe foundation of all criminal justice ;" 8 Cox, Cr. Cas. 477, per Cockburn, C. J.; but it has also been said to be "an unfortunate phrase and actually mislead ing ;" L. R. 23 Q. B. D. 185 ; and to be "somewhat uncouth ;" id. 181; also that "the expression (mens rea) is unmeaning ;" 2 Steph. Hist. Cr. L. 95. See IGNORANCE; INTENTION: MEN) REA; Salmond, Jurispr. 638.
Actus repugnans non potest in esse product. A repugnant act cannot be brought into being (e. e. cannot be made effectual). Plowd. 355.
Actus servi in its quibus opera ejus commenter adhibita est, actus domini habetur. The act of a servant in those things in which he Is usually em ployed, is considered the act of his master. Lofft 227.
Ad ea gum frequentius accidunt Jura adaptantur. The laws are adapted to those cases which occur more frequently. 2 Inst. 137] Wing. Max. 216; Dig. 1. 3. 3 ; 19 How. St. Tr. 1061; 3 B. & C. 178, 183 ; 2 C. & J. 108 ; 7 M. & W. 599, 600 ; Vaugh. 373 ; 6 Co. 77 a ; 11 Exch. 476 ; 11 id. 628 ; •12 How. (IL S.) 312, 13 L. Ed. 996; 7 Allen (Mass.) 227; Broom, Max. 43.
Ad officium justiciariorum spectat, unicuique co ram eis placitanti juetitiam exhibere. It is the duty of justices to administer justice to' every one pleading before them. 2 Inst. 451.
Ad proximum antecedens flat relatio, nisi impedi atur sententia. A relative is to he referred to the next antecedent, unless the sense would be there by impaired. Broom, Max. 680 ; Noy, Max., 9th ed. 4; 2 Exch. 479 ; 17 Q. B. 833 ; 2 H. & N. 625 ; 3 Bingh. N. c. 217; 13 How. (U. S.) 142, 14 L. Ed. 75.
Ad quwstiones facti non respondent judices; ad qucestiones legis non respondent juratoree. The judges do not answer to questions of fact ; the jury do mot answer to questions of law. Co. Litt. 295; 8 Co. 155 a; Vaugh. 149; 5 Gray (Mass.) 211, 219, 290; Broom, Max. 102.
Ad qucestiones juris respondent judices ; ad quws tionem facti respondent juratores. See JURY.
Ad quwstiones legis judices; et non juratores, re spondent. Judges, and not jurors, decide questions of law. 7 Mass. 279. See JURY.
Ad rec'te docendum oportet, primum inquirere nonrina, quia rerum cognitio a nominibus rerum dependet. In order rightly to comprehend a thing, inquire first into the names, for a right knowledge of things depends upon their names. Co. Litt. 68. Ad vim majorem tie/ ad casus fortuitos non tene tur quis, nisi sua culpa intervenerit. No one is held to answer for the effects of a superior force, or of accidents, unless his fault has contrib uted. Fleta, lib. 2, c. 72, § 16.
Additio probat minoritatem. An addition proves inferiority. That is, if it be said that a man has a fee tail, it is less than if he has the fee. 4 Inst. 80 ; Wing. Max. 211, Max. 60; Littleton § 293 ; Co. Litt. 189 a.
Adjuvari quippe nos, non decipi, beneftcio oportet. For we ought to be helped by a benefit, not de stroyed by it. Dig. 13..6, 17. 3 ; Broom, Max. 392. Adversue extraneoe vitiosa possessio prodesse so let. Prior possession is a good title of ownership against all who cannot show a better. D. 41. 2. 53 ; Salmond, Jurispr. 638.
2Edificare in tuo proprio solo non licet quod al teri noceat. It is not lawful to build upon one's own land what may be injurious to another. 3 Inst. 201; Broom, Max. 369.
2Edificatum solo, solo cedit. That which is built upon the land goes with the land. Co. Litt. 4 a ; Inst. 2. 1. 29 ; Dig. 47. 8. 1.
2Ectificia solo vedunt. Buildings pass by a grant of the land. Fleta, 111). 3, c. 2, § 12.
2Equior est dispositio legis quam hominis. The disposition of the law is more impartial than that of man. 8 Co. 152 a.