Benigne Faciendae Sunt Interpretationes, Propter Simplicitatem Laicorum, Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat; Et Verba Intentioni, Non e Contra, Debent Inservire

Concept of “Benigne Faciendae Sunt Interpretationes, Propter Simplicitatem Laicorum, Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat; et Verba Intentioni, Non E Contra, Debent Inservire”

Traditional meaning of benigne faciendae sunt interpretationes, propter simplicitatem laicorum, ut res magis valeat quam pereat; et verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire in English (with some legal use of this latin concept in England and the United States in the XIX Century) [1]: (in Latin) Interpretations are to be made liberally, by reason of the ignorance of laymen, that the instrument may have effect rather than be void; and words ought to be made subject to the intention, not the contrary. Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus seu dubiis est praeferenda: the more liberal meaning of general or doubtful words is to be preferred.

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Notes and References

1. Based on A Concise Law Dictionary of Words, Phrases and Maxims, “Benigne Faciendae Sunt Interpretationes, Propter Simplicitatem Laicorum, Ut Res Magis Valeat Quam Pereat; et Verba Intentioni, Non E Contra, Debent Inservire”, Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1911, United States. It is also called the Stimson’s Law dictionary. This term and/or definition may be absolete.

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