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NeCede's

Maxim 10.2.35

The propriety of words is the safety of property.

Proprietas verborum est salus proprietatum.

Source: Bouvier Difficulty 3/5 — Intermediate

Explanation

Precision of language safeguards rights; careless or imprecise drafting invites the loss of what was intended to be secured.

Where this applies

  • A deed describes the land as "the north parcel" instead of using the precise legal description, and years later a neighbor claims the vague language means the boundary is ten feet further south.
  • A contract says the buyer will pay for "the equipment" without specifying which pieces, and the seller later claims it includes machinery that was never part of the deal.
  • A will leaves "my house" to a son, but the father owned two houses — the imprecise language creates a fight between heirs that exact wording would have prevented.

Legal domains

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 10.2.35 — The propriety of words is the safety of property. — Bouvier (Proprietas verborum est salus proprietatum.)

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