Maxim 1.5.218
Legislators pass over that which happens only once or twice.
Quod semel aut bis existit praetereunt legislatores.
Source: D. 1, 3, 6; Jackson
Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable
Explanation
Legislation addresses recurring conditions, not isolated incidents — the law does not burden the general public with rules designed for extraordinary one-off situations.
Where this applies
- A law is written to address a one-off incident instead of a recurring problem.
- A legislature passes a statute targeting a single event that is unlikely to happen again.
Legal domains
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 1.5.218 — Legislators pass over that which happens only once or twice. — D. 1, 3, 6; Jackson (Quod semel aut bis existit praetereunt legislatores.)
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