Legal Definitions - suggestio falsi

Suggestio falsi (pronounced: suh-JES-tee-oh FAL-see) is a Latin term that refers to the act of making a false representation or a misleading suggestion. It involves communicating something that creates a false impression or belief, even if the statement itself isn't a direct, outright lie. The key is that the information provided is untrue or designed to lead someone to an incorrect conclusion.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Misleading Product Claims

  A furniture store advertises a sofa as being made of "premium leather," when in reality, only the parts of the sofa that are touched are genuine leather, and the rest is a synthetic material designed to look like leather. While they didn't explicitly say the *entire* sofa was genuine leather, the general statement "premium leather" creates a false impression that the whole piece is made of high-quality animal hide.

  This illustrates suggestio falsi because the advertisement creates a misleading suggestion about the material composition of the entire sofa, leading customers to believe something that isn't entirely true.

• Example 2: Concealing Important Information in a Sale

  A homeowner selling their house tells a potential buyer, "The roof was replaced just five years ago, so you won't have to worry about it for a long time." What they fail to mention is that the roof was poorly installed and has had recurring leaks every winter since its replacement, requiring frequent repairs. While the statement about the replacement date is true, the implication that it's a worry-free roof is a misleading suggestion.

  This is an example of suggestio falsi because the seller's statement, while technically accurate about the replacement date, creates a false impression of the roof's quality and reliability by omitting crucial negative details.

• Example 3: Exaggerated Professional Credentials

  An individual applying for a management position lists "extensive experience in international finance" on their resume. While they did work for a global company, their role was primarily administrative support, not directly managing financial portfolios or making high-level financial decisions. The phrase "extensive experience in international finance" is a misleading suggestion about the nature and level of their actual work.

  This demonstrates suggestio falsi because the applicant's description of their experience creates a false representation of their professional qualifications and responsibilities.