Legal Definitions - extra jus

Extra jus is a Latin phrase meaning "beyond the law" or "more than the law requires." It refers to actions, decisions, or situations that exceed the minimum standards or obligations set forth by legal statutes. These actions are not legally mandated but are undertaken voluntarily, often due to ethical considerations, goodwill, or a desire to go above and beyond what is strictly necessary under the law.

• Example 1 (Corporate Environmental Responsibility): A large technology company invests heavily in developing and implementing a closed-loop recycling system for its electronic waste, ensuring that 100% of its products are recycled and repurposed. This initiative significantly surpasses the national environmental regulations, which only require companies to meet a much lower percentage of recycling and allow for certain types of waste disposal.

  Explanation: The company's extensive recycling program is an act of "extra jus" because it goes "beyond the law" by exceeding the minimum environmental standards and requirements set by the government. They are voluntarily doing more than the law compels them to do.

• Example 2 (Contractual Goodwill): A software development firm completes a project for a client. Six months after the project's completion and the expiration of the warranty period, the client discovers a minor bug that causes occasional inconvenience but does not critically impair functionality. Although the firm is no longer legally obligated by the contract or warranty to fix the bug, they offer to patch it for free as a gesture of goodwill and to maintain a strong client relationship.

  Explanation: The software firm's decision to fix the bug for free after their contractual and warranty obligations have ended is "extra jus." They are acting "beyond the law" of their agreement, providing a service that is "more than the law requires" them to do.

• Example 3 (Ethical Business Practices): A local restaurant sources all its ingredients from organic, fair-trade certified farms, even though these ingredients are significantly more expensive than conventionally produced alternatives. There are no laws requiring restaurants to use organic or fair-trade products, and many competitors use cheaper options to maximize profit.

  Explanation: The restaurant's commitment to using only organic and fair-trade ingredients is "extra jus" because it goes "beyond the law" in its ethical sourcing practices. While not legally required, the restaurant chooses to operate at a higher standard, demonstrating a commitment that is "more than the law requires."