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NeCede's

Maxim 1.1.6

Things forbidden by the nature of things are confirmed by no law.

Quae rerum natura prohibentur, nulla lege confirmantur.

Source: Branch, Princ.; Finch, Law 74; Weisman, 74j; Weisman, 90c Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable

Explanation

A legislature may pass any words it pleases, but no enactment can make valid what nature itself forbids.

Where this applies

  • A legislature passes a law declaring that water flows uphill for regulatory purposes.
  • A statute tries to make impossible things mandatory.

Legal domains

constitutionalinterpretation

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 1.1.6 — Things forbidden by the nature of things are confirmed by no law. — Branch, Princ.; Finch, Law 74; Weisman, 74j; Weisman, 90c (Quae rerum natura prohibentur, nulla lege confirmantur.)

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