Maxim 1.5.121
The law suffers no fractions and divisions of statutes.
Lex non patitur fractiones et divisiones statutorum.
Source: 1 Co. 87; Jackson
Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational
Explanation
Statutes must be read as a whole, not cherry-picked in fragments — isolating one clause from its context to defeat the purpose of the act is impermissible.
Where this applies
- A party cherry-picks one section of a statute while ignoring the rest.
- A single clause of a law is cited out of context to support a misleading argument.
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 1.5.121 — The law suffers no fractions and divisions of statutes. — 1 Co. 87; Jackson (Lex non patitur fractiones et divisiones statutorum.)
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