Legal maxims

Legal maxims are established guiding principles or general rules that underpin the justice system. They serve as concise sayings reflecting common legal principles, such as fairness, justice, and equity, and help courts interpret laws consistently. Examples include "equity regards as done that which ought to be done" or "ignorance of the law is no excuse." These maxims are used to aid legal reasoning, ensure fair application of laws, and maintain consistency across cases. They are not laws themselves but serve as ethical and philosophical foundations that influence judicial decisions.