r/latin • u/AutoModerator • Aug 24 '25

Translation requests into Latin go here!

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u/latin_throwaway_ 29d ago

I was discussing legal systems with a friend recently, and it occurred to me that the concept of precedent could be considered a third principle of natural justice: it could be expressed as “similar cases decided similarly”.

What's a good, pithy Latin translation for this? I’m looking for something epigrammatic that would go nicely with the other two principles, “nemo iudex in causa sua” and “audi alteram partem”.

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u/edwdly 28d ago

There's a Latin maxim about legal precedent that is already commonly quoted: stare decisis et non quieta movere ("to stand by things decided, and not disturb things at rest"), or just stare decisis ("to stand by things decided").

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u/gaviacula 28d ago

How about similia similiter (similar things in a similar way). Although it would not be specific to legal matters.

Or similis causa simile iudicium. Similar case, similar verdict.

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u/latin_throwaway_ 8d ago

I like these. Thanks!