Legal Definitions - jus sibi dicere

jus sibi dicere is a Latin phrase that translates to "to declare the law for oneself." It refers to the act of an individual or group taking matters into their own hands to enforce what they believe is right, rather than relying on established legal systems, courts, or authorities to resolve a dispute or administer justice. Essentially, it means bypassing official legal processes and imposing one's own judgment or will.

• Example 1: A homeowner discovers that their neighbor has repeatedly parked their car partially on their property, despite polite requests to stop. Frustrated, the homeowner decides to install large, immovable rocks along the property line, effectively blocking the neighbor's ability to park there, without first consulting a lawyer, sending a formal notice, or involving local authorities to mediate the dispute.

  Explanation: By unilaterally installing the rocks to enforce their property rights, the homeowner is engaging in jus sibi dicere. They are "declaring the law for themselves" and taking direct action outside the established legal channels for resolving property disputes.

• Example 2: In a small, isolated community, a group of residents becomes convinced that a local shop owner is regularly overcharging tourists. Instead of reporting the shop owner to consumer protection agencies or local police, the residents organize a boycott, spread negative rumors, and physically block access to the shop, effectively shutting down its business through their own collective enforcement.

  Explanation: This community's actions exemplify jus sibi dicere. They have bypassed official legal and regulatory bodies designed to address consumer fraud and have instead taken it upon themselves to "declare the law" and administer their own form of justice against the shop owner.

• Example 3: A software company believes a former employee stole proprietary code. Instead of filing a lawsuit, seeking an injunction, or involving law enforcement, the company's CEO personally confronts the former employee, threatens to ruin their career, and physically confiscates the employee's personal laptop, believing it contains the stolen code.

  Explanation: The CEO's actions constitute jus sibi dicere. Rather than pursuing legal avenues like a civil lawsuit for intellectual property theft or reporting the matter to the police, the CEO took the law into their own hands by making threats and seizing personal property, effectively imposing their own judgment and enforcement outside the legal system.