Alterum non laedere
| Literal meaning | Not to harm another |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | AL-ter-um non LAY-deh-ray |
One of the basic precepts of Roman law: do not harm another. It is the root of the general duty not to cause harm to others.
Example
A person who drives carefully so as not to hurt other road users follows this rule.
Case laws
- Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932), House of Lords: the neighbour principle states that you must take reasonable care to avoid acts you can foresee would injure your neighbour.
Exam tip
Asked as the base of duty of care.
Memory trick
Do no harm.
Key takeaway
Do not harm others: the root of the law of torts.
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