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NeCede's

Maxim 5.5.8

No rule of law protects a buyer who willfully closes his ears to information, or refuses to make inquiry when circumstances of grave suspicion imperatively demand it.

Nulla juris regula protegit emptorem qui voluntarie aures claudit.

Source: Lytly v. Lansing, 147 U.S. 59, 72; Weisman, 13s Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable

Explanation

The buyer who refuses to investigate what a reasonable man would suspect forfeits the law's protection — willful blindness is no better than knowledge.

Where this applies

  • I bought a property at a suspiciously low price and didn't bother to investigate why.
  • I knew there might be title issues but went ahead with the purchase anyway.

Legal domains

commercialequityproperty

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 5.5.8 — No rule of law protects a buyer who willfully closes his ears to information, or refuses to make inquiry when circumstances of grave suspicion imperatively demand it. — Lytly v. Lansing, 147 U.S. 59, 72; Weisman, 13s (Nulla juris regula protegit emptorem qui voluntarie aures claudit.)

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