De minimis non curat lex

Filed Under: Civil Litigation; Torts

2 definitions found for this term.
Definitions are presented in the order source books were published (most recent first).

Source:

A Latin expression meaning that the law does not concern itself with trifles.

;
Source:

De minimis is a shortened form of the Latin legal maxim de minimis non curat lex: the law does not concern itself with the trivial. For example, an act that is technically an infringement can be called de minimis if it is thought to be outside the purpose of the law to catch it; the claim can then be dismissed with costs. This decision involves a value judgment that the complaint should either have been resolved without taking up the time of a court or is a minor irritant that, like the unintentional jostle in a crowded street, the complainant should have borne with equanimity.

Scroll to Top