The accessory does not precede, but follows the principal.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) An accessory's liability depends on the principal's — there can be no accessory without a principal offender, and the accessory's guilt follows from and cannot exceed the principal's.

Where this applies

• A guarantor is pursued for a debt before the primary debtor has been held liable.
• A secondary party's liability is claimed to exist independently of the main wrongdoer's.