Maxim 7.4.5
No one causes damage except he who does what he has no right to do.
Nemo damnum facit nisi qui id fecit quod facere jus non habet.
Source: Dig. 50, 17, 151
Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable
Explanation
Lawful exercise of one's own rights cannot constitute an actionable injury to another, even if the other suffers loss thereby.
Where this applies
- I exercised my right to build on my own property and my neighbor's view was blocked — did I do something wrong?
- A competitor's lawful business practices reduced my profits — can I claim damages?
Topics
See also
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 7.4.5 — No one causes damage except he who does what he has no right to do. — Dig. 50, 17, 151 (Nemo damnum facit nisi qui id fecit quod facere jus non habet.)
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