Maxim 1.5.100
In law every definition is dangerous.
In jure omnis definitio periculosa est.
Source: Jackson
Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational
Explanation
Legal definitions risk being either too broad or too narrow — a rigid definition may exclude what should be included or include what should be excluded.
Where this applies
- A legal definition turns out to be too broad and covers things it should not.
- A court struggles because a statutory definition is too narrow to cover the actual situation.
Legal domains
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 1.5.100 — In law every definition is dangerous. — Jackson (In jure omnis definitio periculosa est.)
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