Maxim 1.5.204
When anything is prohibited directly, it is also prohibited indirectly.
Quando aliquid prohibetur ex directo prohibetur et per obliquum.
Source: Co. Litt. 223; Jackson; Weisman, 90a
Difficulty 3/5 — Intermediate
Explanation
The law cannot be evaded by doing indirectly what it forbids doing directly — a prohibition extends to every method of accomplishing the forbidden result.
Where this applies
- The government cannot censor speech directly so it pressures private companies to do it.
- A regulation cannot ban an activity so it taxes it out of existence.
Legal domains
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 1.5.204 — When anything is prohibited directly, it is also prohibited indirectly. — Co. Litt. 223; Jackson; Weisman, 90a (Quando aliquid prohibetur ex directo prohibetur et per obliquum.)
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