Legal Definitions - de minimis non curat lex

The Latin phrase de minimis non curat lex translates to "the law does not concern itself with trifles." This principle suggests that courts and legal systems should not waste time and resources on extremely minor issues or insignificant violations that have no real impact or cause no substantial harm. It is often shortened to simply de minimis.

The core idea is that the legal system has more important matters to address than trivial disputes or infractions that are too small to warrant formal legal intervention. While an action might technically violate a rule or law, if the impact is negligible, the law may choose not to pursue it.

• Example 1: Minor Property Trespass

  Imagine a homeowner accidentally drops a small item, like a pen, just over their property line into a neighbor's yard. To retrieve it, they step one foot onto the neighbor's grass for a second, causing no damage and leaving no trace. While technically a trespass, a court would almost certainly consider this a de minimis violation. The act is so trivial and causes no harm that the legal system would not entertain a lawsuit over it.

• Example 2: Insignificant Contract Deviation

  A small business hires a graphic designer to create a logo, specifying a particular shade of blue using a precise color code. The designer, due to a minor software glitch, delivers the logo with a shade of blue that is imperceptibly different to the human eye, and the business suffers no financial loss or reputational damage as a result. If the business tried to sue for breach of contract, a court would likely dismiss the claim as de minimis, recognizing that the deviation is too minor to warrant legal action.

• Example 3: Trivial Regulatory Infraction

  A local ordinance requires all public parks to close at sunset. One evening, a jogger finishes their run and exits the park two minutes after sunset, without causing any disturbance or damage. A park ranger might observe this but choose not to issue a citation, considering the infraction to be de minimis. The slight delay beyond the official closing time had no practical effect on public safety or park maintenance, making it too trivial for formal enforcement.