What does the Latin phrase 'Actus Dei Nemini Facit Injuriam' mean in law?

The correct answer is Law holds no person responsible for the Act of God.

Key Points

• The Latin phrase "Actus Dei Nemini Facit Injuriam" translates to "The act of God does injury to no one."
• In legal terms, it means that no one is held liable for damages or losses caused by natural events beyond human control, often referred to as "Acts of God."
• Acts of God include natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and similar events that cannot be prevented by human intervention.
• This principle is commonly invoked in contract law to relieve parties from liability or obligation when performance is hindered or prevented by such unavoidable events.
• The doctrine underscores the fairness in not holding individuals or entities accountable for occurrences that are out of their control and unforeseeable.

Additional Information

• Force Majeure
  • A clause commonly included in contracts to absolve parties from liability when extraordinary events or circumstances beyond their control prevent them from fulfilling their contractual obligations.
  • Examples include war, strikes, natural disasters, and epidemics.
  • Force majeure is broader than "Act of God" as it includes both natural and human-made events.
• Negligence
  • The failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.
  • Negligence is a key factor in determining liability in many civil lawsuits.
  • Acts of God are often used as a defense to negate negligence claims.
• Strict Liability
  • A legal doctrine that makes an individual or entity responsible for their actions or products without the plaintiff having to prove fault or negligence.
  • In cases of strict liability, Acts of God can sometimes be used to limit or avoid liability.
• Insurance Policies
  • Many insurance policies include clauses that cover or exclude Acts of God.
  • Policyholders should review their insurance agreements to understand their coverage related to natural disasters.