Silence shows consent.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Silence in the face of a claim or assertion, when the party had opportunity and duty to speak, is construed as consent — the law imputes agreement to those who stand mute when they should object.

Where this applies

• A company sends a letter demanding payment of a disputed invoice, and the recipient says nothing for months — the silence is treated as agreement that the amount is owed.
• A neighbor announces he is going to build a fence on the property line and the adjoining owner says nothing, so the court infers consent from the silence.
• A government agency sends a notice reclassifying a property owner's land, and the owner fails to object within the response period — the silence is construed as consent to the reclassification.