The law forbids such recoveries whose ends are vain, chargeable, and unprofitable.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) The law does not countenance futile litigation — if the recovery sought would be worthless, burdensome, or unenforceable, the court will not entertain the action.

Where this applies

• A court dismisses a lawsuit seeking to recover a ten-dollar debt when the legal fees and court costs would exceed a thousand dollars — the recovery is vain and unprofitable.
• A judge refuses to order specific performance of a contract for goods that no longer exist, because the remedy would be impossible to carry out.
• A plaintiff sues for return of property that has already been legally destroyed, and the court dismisses the case because the recovery sought is futile.