Latin Maxim English Meaning

Relative words refer to the nearest

Ad proximum antecedens fiat relatio nisi
antecedents, unless the context otherwise
impediatur sententia
requires
A person, object, or thing omitted from an
Causus omissus pro omisso habendus est enumeration must be held to have been
omitted intentionally
Ejusdem generis Of the same kind of specie
A thing not being excepted must be regarded
Exceptio firmat regulam in casibus non
as coming within the purview of the general
exceptis
rule
Every statute must be so construed and
Interpretare et concordare legibus est optimus
harmonized with other statutes as to form
interpotandi modus
uniform system of law
Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat A law should be interpreted with a view to
quam pereat upholding rather than destroying it
Word construed with reference to accompanying
Noscitur a sociis
or associated words
The best interpreter of a statute is the status
Optima statuti interpretatrix est ipsum statutum
itself
Referring each to each; referring each phrase or
Reddendo singula singulis expression to its appropriate object; or let each
be put in its proper place
Statutes sharing a common purpose or relating to
Statutes in pari materia the same subject and which are construed
together.