Skip to content
NeCede's

Maxim 3.5.4

Ignorance of those things which one is bound to know does not excuse.

Ignorantia eorum quae quis scire tenetur non excusat.

Source: Hale, P.C. 42; Broom, Max. 267; 4 Bl. Comm. 27; Weisman, 57a Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable

Explanation

Where a duty to know exists — as with an officer of the court or a fiduciary — ignorance is treated as negligence, not as innocence.

Where this applies

  • A trustee claims they did not know about their fiduciary obligations.
  • A licensed professional says they were unaware of industry regulations they were bound to follow.

Topics

Ignorance

Legal domains

commercialequity

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 3.5.4 — Ignorance of those things which one is bound to know does not excuse. — Hale, P.C. 42; Broom, Max. 267; 4 Bl. Comm. 27; Weisman, 57a (Ignorantia eorum quae quis scire tenetur non excusat.)

Found an error? Suggest a correction →