Skip to content
NeCede's

Maxim 8.10.7

Antiquity did nothing without a good reason.

Antiquitas nihil fecit sine ratione bona.

Source: Co. Litt. 65; Weisman, 88l Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Before discarding a longstanding legal principle, one should first understand why it was adopted — the presumption is that our predecessors acted wisely.

Where this applies

  • This legal tradition has been around for 500 years — there was probably a good reason for it.
  • Before discarding an old rule, understand why it was adopted in the first place.

Topics

Precedent

Legal domains

interpretation

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 8.10.7 — Antiquity did nothing without a good reason. — Co. Litt. 65; Weisman, 88l (Antiquitas nihil fecit sine ratione bona.)

Found an error? Suggest a correction →