Natural Law

Natural law is that which holds the same force among all mankind.

Jus naturale est quod apud omnes homines eandem habet potentiam.

Source: Coke, 7 Co. 12; Jackson 473; Weisman, 82e

Natural law is universal — it binds every nation and every court, and no legislature can override it.

Natural law has its foundation in the will of God.

Jus naturale, sive lex naturalis, fundamentum habet in voluntate Dei.

Source: Blackstone, 1 Bl. Comm. 39; Kent, 1 Comm. 2; Weisman, 74f

The authority of natural law rests not on human enactment but on the will of the Creator — it precedes and supersedes all positive law.

The laws of nature are most perfect and unchangeable.

Leges naturae perfectissimae sunt et immutabiles.

Source: Coke, 7 Co. 25; Branch, Princ.; Weisman, 74d

Human laws rise and fall, but the laws of nature admit neither amendment nor repeal — any statute contradicting them is void from the beginning.

No one is presumed to act against nature.

Nemo praesumitur facere contra naturam.

Source: Vinnius, 22 Vin. Abr. 154; Bouvier, Max. 142; Weisman, 74e

Courts will not presume that a party intended an act contrary to the natural order — the burden falls on whoever alleges the unnatural act.

The force of nature is the greatest.

Natura vis maxima est.

Source: Noy, Max. 26; Coke, 2 Inst. 564; Weisman, 74h

When natural law and positive law conflict, natural law prevails — no human enactment can overcome the force of nature.

Nature desires perfection; so does law.

Natura appetit perfectum; ita et lex.

Source: Hobart 144; Jackson 605; Wharton; Weisman, 74n

Both nature and law aim at completeness — a legal proceeding that falls short of its natural object is defective and should be corrected.