Maxim 2.3.11
The civil laws reduce an ungrateful freedman to his original slavery, but the laws of England regard a man once manumitted as ever after free.
Libertinum ingratum leges civiles in pristinam servitutem redigunt; sed leges Angliae semel manumissum semper liberum judicant.
Source: Co. Litt. 187; Jackson
Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable
Explanation
Under the common law of England, once a person is freed from bondage the freedom is permanent and irrevocable — liberty, once granted, cannot be recalled for ingratitude or any other cause.
Where this applies
- A freed slave is threatened with re-enslavement.
- Once a person is set free, someone tries to revoke their freedom.
Legal domains
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 2.3.11 — The civil laws reduce an ungrateful freedman to his original slavery, but the laws of England regard a man once manumitted as ever after free. — Co. Litt. 187; Jackson (Libertinum ingratum leges civiles in pristinam servitutem redigunt; sed leges Angliae semel manumissum semper liberum judicant.)
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