Legal Definitions - propter ingratitudinem

Propter ingratitudinem is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "on account of ingratitude."

Historically, this principle allowed a grantor (the person giving a gift or benefit) to revoke that gift or benefit if the recipient displayed significant ingratitude towards the giver. While not a widely applied legal doctrine in modern common law systems, the concept reflects an underlying societal expectation that recipients of generosity should show appreciation, and a failure to do so could, in certain historical or specific legal contexts, have consequences for the recipient.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of propter ingratitudinem:

• Imagine a wealthy benefactor who establishes a trust fund to pay for a promising young artist's education and living expenses, enabling them to pursue their passion without financial worry. After receiving several years of support, the artist publicly denounces the benefactor, claiming their support was merely a cynical attempt to control their creative freedom, and actively encourages others to disrespect the benefactor's philanthropic efforts. If the principle of propter ingratitudinem were legally applicable in this context, the benefactor might have grounds to revoke future disbursements from the trust due to the artist's profound ingratitude and public disparagement.

• Consider a scenario where a property owner generously grants a neighbor an easement (a right to use part of their land) to access a scenic overlook, purely out of goodwill. Shortly after receiving this benefit, the neighbor begins to trespass on other parts of the property, damages the owner's landscaping, and refuses to contribute to the upkeep of the shared access path, despite having agreed to do so. The owner, feeling betrayed and disrespected, might conceptually invoke propter ingratitudinem if they sought to revoke the easement, arguing that the neighbor's ungrateful and harmful actions nullified the spirit of the original generous grant.

• In a family business, a founder gifts a substantial share of the company to a younger family member, intending to secure the business's future and reward loyalty. After receiving the shares and taking on a leadership role, the younger family member attempts to oust the founder from the board, spreads false rumors about their past management decisions, and actively works to undermine their legacy within the company. While modern corporate law would have specific provisions for such actions, the founder's justification for seeking to reclaim the gifted shares or remove the family member from their position could conceptually align with propter ingratitudinem, citing the profound ingratitude and betrayal of trust.