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NeCede's

Maxim 1.5.49

A human body is not susceptible of appraisement.

Corpus humanum non recipit aestimationem.

Source: Hob. 59; Jackson Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

The body of a free person cannot be reduced to a monetary value — this principle forbids treating human beings as commodities and underlies the prohibition against involuntary servitude.

Where this applies

  • A court is asked to put a dollar value on a person's freedom.
  • Someone tries to calculate the monetary worth of a human being.

Legal domains

commercialcontract

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 1.5.49 — A human body is not susceptible of appraisement. — Hob. 59; Jackson (Corpus humanum non recipit aestimationem.)

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