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Legal maxim and Latin for the act does not make one guilty unless there is a criminal intent. To be guilty of a crime under criminal law requires two elements, a guilty act (actus reus) and a guilty state of mind (mens rea). Without a guilty mind or criminal intent there is no crime. (In general this is true, except for strict liability statutes such as speed limits, for … [Read more...] about ACTUS NON FACIT REUM NISI MENS SIT REA

A legal action; a common action. Sometimes used for actio dvrecta. Mackeld. Rom. Law, … [Read more...] about ACTIO VULGARIS

In Scotch law. These are either (1) actions of proper improbation for declaring a writing false or forged; (2) actions of reduction improbation for the production of a writing in order to have it set aside or its effect ascertained under the certification that the writing if not produced shall be declared false or forged; and (3) actions of simple reduction, for declaring a … [Read more...] about ACTIONS RESCISSORY

A bona-fide dispute. This is usually used to mean a dispute that can be resolved or adjudicated in a court of law as opposed to a hypothetical situation has not occurred and which an advisory body is requested to provide an opinion or guidance so that the party is able to better deal with a situation should it arise in the future. … [Read more...] about ACTUAL CONTROVERSY

Latin meaning a prohibited act or a guilty act. A crime consists of two parts the guilty act and a required mental state (for example, intentional, negligent or recklessness.) For example, the crime of intentional murder requires both a murder (the act) with the actor having intended such a consequence to occur (the required mental state.) … [Read more...] about ACTUS REUS