Legal Definitions - manifest law

Manifest Law

"Manifest law" refers to a legal principle or rule that is exceptionally clear, obvious, and readily apparent, requiring little to no complex interpretation or debate. Its meaning and application are straightforward and easily understood by any reasonable person, often because it is explicitly stated, widely accepted, or fundamental to a legal system. While the source definition directs to "LEX MANIFESTA" (Latin for "obvious law"), the concept remains the same: law that is plain and undeniable.

• A Clearly Posted Traffic Sign: Imagine a large, prominent sign at an intersection stating, "STOP." This is an example of manifest law. The instruction is unambiguous, universally understood, and requires no legal training to comprehend. Drivers are expected to stop, and the legal consequence of failing to do so (e.g., a traffic ticket) is a direct application of this clear rule.

  How it illustrates the term: The "STOP" sign represents a legal command that is so obvious and direct that its meaning is immediately clear to anyone. There's no room for interpretation or argument about what the sign requires, making it a manifest law.

• A Fundamental Constitutional Right: The statement in many constitutions that "no person shall be deprived of life without due process of law" embodies a manifest legal principle. While the specifics of "due process" can be complex, the core idea that the state cannot arbitrarily take a person's life is a foundational and obvious legal truth that is readily understood.

  How it illustrates the term: The prohibition against arbitrary deprivation of life is a fundamental and widely accepted legal principle. Its basic meaning is clear and undeniable, forming a manifest law that underpins a just legal system, even if its detailed application requires further legal analysis.

• A Basic Contractual Obligation: When two parties sign a contract for the sale of a house, and the contract explicitly states, "The buyer agrees to pay $500,000 to the seller," this specific obligation is a manifest law within the context of that agreement. The duty to pay the agreed-upon price is clear, direct, and leaves no room for ambiguity regarding that particular term.

  How it illustrates the term: The explicit statement of the purchase price and the buyer's agreement to pay it constitutes a manifest legal obligation within the contract. Its meaning is plain and obvious, directly dictating the parties' duties without needing further interpretation for that specific clause.