Fraud

It is fraud to conceal a fraud.

Fraus est celare fraudem.

Source: 1 Vern. 270; Story, Eq. Jur. §§ 389-390; Weisman, 29r

One who knows of a fraud and conceals it becomes a party to the fraud itself — silence in the face of known deceit is active participation.

Fraud is odious and is not to be presumed.

Fraus est odiosa et non praesumenda.

Source: Cro. Car. 550; Jackson, No. 296; Weisman, 29s

The law does not presume fraud but requires it to be proved by clear evidence — yet once proved, every presumption turns against the wrongdoer.

Fraud is not purged by circuity.

Dolus circuitu non purgatur.

Source: Bacon, Max. reg. 4; Broom, Max. 228; Noy, Max. 9, 12; Weisman, 29p

A fraudulent act cannot be laundered into legitimacy by running it through intermediate steps, agencies, or transactions — the taint follows every link in the chain.

No right of action arises from fraud.

Ex dolo malo non oritur actio.

Source: Cowp. 341; Broom, Max. 729; Phelps v. Decker, 10 Mass. 276

A party who has himself engaged in fraud cannot invoke the courts to enforce an advantage gained by that fraud — the law will not assist the fraudulent.

Fraud and justice never dwell together.

Fraus et jus nunquam cohabitant.

Source: Wing. Max. 680; Weisman, 29t

Where fraud is found, right cannot coexist — justice demands that every trace of fraud be rooted out before any claim built upon it can stand.

Fraud and deceit should be a defense or advantage to no one.

Dolus et fraus nemini patrocinari debent.

Source: 3 Coke, 78b; Fleta, lib. 1, c. 13, § 15; Best, Evid. p. 469

No man shall profit, find shelter, or gain legal advantage through his own deceit — the law strips every benefit built on fraudulent foundations.

Once a fraud, always presumed a fraud.

Semel fraudator, semper praesumitur fraudator.

Source: 13 Vin. Abr. 539; Weisman, 29i

A proven pattern of fraud raises a continuing presumption — the law does not extend fresh credit to a demonstrated deceiver.

Fraud corrupts everything it touches.

Fraus omnia corrumpit.

Source: 1 Story, Eq. Jur. §395; Broom, Max.

Where fraud is established, it vitiates the entire transaction — no part of an instrument or proceeding tainted by fraud may stand, for the corruption extends to the whole.