Justice

Justice is the steady and unceasing disposition to render to every man his due.

Justitia est constans et perpetua voluntas jus suum cuique tribuendi.

Source: Inst. 1, 1, pr.; Dig. 1, 1, 10; Weisman, 68g

Justice is not occasional or discretionary — it is a permanent obligation owed equally to every person, without respect of station.

Justice is neither to be denied nor delayed.

Justitia non est neganda, non differenda.

Source: Jenk. Cent. 76, 93; 2 Inst. 56; Weisman, 68f

Every refusal to hear a case and every unnecessary delay in its resolution is a species of injustice.

Justice ought to be free, because nothing is more iniquitous than venal justice; full, because justice ought not to halt; and speedy, because delay is a kind of denial.

Justitia debet esse libera, quia nihil iniquius venali justitia; plena, quia justitia non debet claudicare; et celeris, quia dilatio est quaedam negatio.

Source: 2 Inst. 56; Weisman, 68e

The three pillars of justice — accessibility, completeness, and speed — must all be present; the absence of any one corrupts the whole.

Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.

Fiat justitia, ruat coelum.

Source: 1 Lord Mansfield in R. v. Wilkes (1770); Wing. Max. 668; Weisman, 68o

The administration of justice may never be subordinated to convenience, politics, or fear of consequences.

Justice knows neither father nor mother; justice looks to truth alone.

Justitia non novit patrem nec matrem; solam veritatem spectat justitia.

Source: 1 Bulstr. 199; Weisman, 68m

Partiality, favoritism, and respect of persons are the death of justice — the court must be blind to everything except the merits of the cause.

Favor ought not to bend justice, power ought not to break it, nor money to corrupt it.

Favor non debet flectere justitiam, potestas non frangere, pecunia non corrumpere.

Source: Cicero, Fragmenta de Republica; Halk. Max.; Weisman, 68k

The three mortal enemies of justice are influence, force, and bribery — any court susceptible to any of these has ceased to be a court.