Words should be understood effectively.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Words in a legal instrument must be given operative effect — every term should be construed to accomplish something, not rendered meaningless by a strained interpretation.

Where this applies

• A contract includes a force majeure clause, and one party argues it's just boilerplate with no real meaning — the court says every clause must be given operative effect, not dismissed as filler.
• A deed contains the phrase "subject to existing easements," and the buyer claims that language is meaningless surplusage — but the court holds it must be understood to accomplish something.
• A statute includes the word "willfully" before describing a prohibited act, and the prosecution argues it adds nothing — the court disagrees, holding that every word in a statute must be given effect.