De minimis non curat lex
| Literal meaning | The law does not concern itself with trifles |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | day MIN-ih-mis non KYOO-rat lex |
The law does not take notice of very small matters. A tiny harm or a trivial breach is not worth a court's time. It does not give a cause of action.
Example
A person takes a few drops of water from a neighbour's tap. A court will not hear a case about it.
Exceptions / limits
Whether something is trivial depends on the facts. A small matter can be serious if it violates a fundamental right.
Exam tip
Short-note question. Use it with the criminal-law idea of trivial harm.
Memory trick
Minimum matter, maximum waste of time.
Key takeaway
Trivial matters do not deserve the attention of the law.
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