Legal Definitions - suapte natura

Suapte natura is a Latin phrase that translates to "in its own nature" or "by its very nature." It describes a characteristic, quality, or condition that is inherent, intrinsic, or fundamental to something, rather than being caused by external factors or circumstances. When something exists or behaves "suapte natura," it does so because of what it inherently is, without needing external influence or intervention.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a specific type of rock, like obsidian, which is naturally very sharp due to its volcanic formation and glassy structure. Its sharpness is not something applied to it, but rather a characteristic it possesses suapte natura.

  This illustrates the term because the rock's sharpness is an intrinsic quality, part of its fundamental composition and formation, not a result of being cut or sharpened by an external tool.

• Consider a legal principle that certain fundamental human rights, such as the right to life or liberty, are inherent to every individual. These rights are often viewed as existing suapte natura, meaning they are not granted by a government or a specific law, but are fundamental to human existence itself.

  Here, the concept highlights that these rights are not created by legal systems but are considered to be an essential part of being human, existing by their very nature.

• Suppose a contract is formed to purchase a unique piece of art that, unbeknownst to both parties, had already been destroyed in a fire before the contract was signed. In such a scenario, the contract might be considered voidsuapte natura because its subject matter, the art piece, ceased to exist before the agreement was even made.

  This example demonstrates that the contract was inherently impossible to perform from its inception, not due to a later event or a party's failure, but because of a fundamental impossibility existing by its very nature at the time of agreement.