Legal Definitions - jus singulare

Jus singulare refers to a specific legal rule or right that is established for a particular situation, group, or purpose, rather than being a general law that applies broadly to everyone. It represents an exception or a special provision that deviates from the common or public law.

• Example 1: Imagine a country passes a law granting special tax relief to farmers whose crops were completely destroyed by an unprecedented flood. While the general tax laws apply to all citizens and businesses, this specific provision allows these affected farmers to defer their tax payments or receive a significant reduction for that year.

  This illustrates jus singulare because it's a particular legal right (tax relief) created for a specific group (flood-affected farmers) due to a unique circumstance (crop destruction), deviating from the standard tax obligations that apply to the general population.

• Example 2: A city's zoning regulations generally prohibit the construction of buildings taller than three stories in residential areas. However, a special permit is granted to a university to build a five-story research facility within a residential zone, provided it meets specific architectural and community benefit criteria.

  This demonstrates jus singulare as the university receives a specific legal allowance (to build taller) for a particular purpose (research facility) in a designated area, which is an exception to the general zoning height restrictions applicable to other properties in that residential zone.

• Example 3: During a public health emergency, a government agency is granted a temporary legal right to acquire essential medical supplies directly from manufacturers without going through the usual lengthy competitive bidding process required for all other government procurements.

  This is an instance of jus singulare because it's a specific legal authority (direct procurement) given to a particular entity (government agency) for a defined, urgent purpose (emergency medical supplies), creating an exception to the standard public procurement laws.