Plain-English Explanation
Maxims of law are established legal principles and aphorisms that express settled legal reasoning. They are not statutes themselves but are used by courts to interpret law and guide decisions. Examples include 'stare decisis' (stand by things decided) and 'ignorantia juris non excusat' (ignorance of the law excuses not).
Relevant Provision
Maxims are principles drawn from the common law and civil law tradition; they are not codified in a single statute but are cited by courts as interpretive aids.
Relevant Decisions
Kimble v. Marvel Entertainment, LLC
576 U.S. 446 (2015)
Discussed the doctrine of stare decisis as a judicial policy of deferring to precedent for stability and predictability in the law.