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NeCede's

Maxim 5.1.20

No one should lose his property without his act or negligence.

Nemo debet rem suam sine facto aut defectu suo amittere.

Source: Co. Litt. 263; Bouvier, *Law Dictionary* (1856); Weisman, 91s Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Property is lost only by the owner's own doing or his own fault — never by the bare act of another or by operation of government without cause.

Where this applies

  • The government is taking my land for a road project and I never agreed to it.
  • My car was towed and sold by the city even though I did nothing wrong.

Legal domains

constitutionalproperty

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 5.1.20 — No one should lose his property without his act or negligence. — Co. Litt. 263; Bouvier, *Law Dictionary* (1856); Weisman, 91s (Nemo debet rem suam sine facto aut defectu suo amittere.)

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