Legal Definitions - voluntatis non necessitatis

The Latin phrase voluntatis non necessitatis translates to "a matter of choice, not of necessity." It describes a situation or action that arises from a deliberate decision, preference, or free will, rather than being compelled by an unavoidable circumstance, an external force, or a mandatory requirement. Essentially, it highlights that an act was performed out of discretion, not because it was absolutely obligatory or the only possible option.

• Example 1: Business Investment
  A company decides to invest a significant portion of its profits into developing a new, innovative product line, even though its existing products are still performing well in the market.

  How it illustrates the term: This investment is a matter of voluntatis non necessitatis. The company was not forced by market conditions, declining sales, or legal mandates to create new products. Instead, the decision was a strategic choice, made out of a desire for growth, innovation, or competitive advantage, rather than an unavoidable necessity to simply survive.

• Example 2: Personal Commitment
  An individual chooses to dedicate several hours each week to mentoring young entrepreneurs, even though they have a demanding full-time job and no formal obligation to do so.

  How it illustrates the term: This commitment is voluntatis non necessitatis. The individual is not required by their employer, a contract, or any external pressure to mentor. Their decision to volunteer their time and expertise stems from a personal choice, a desire to contribute, or a passion for helping others succeed, making it an act of free will rather than a necessity.

• Example 3: Government Policy
  A municipal government opts to fund a new public art initiative, commissioning several large sculptures for various city parks, despite having other pressing infrastructure needs like road repairs and public transport upgrades.

  How it illustrates the term: The decision to fund the public art initiative is voluntatis non necessitatis. While the city certainly has necessary expenditures (like maintaining infrastructure), the choice to allocate funds specifically to public art is a discretionary one. It reflects a policy preference or a civic enhancement goal, rather than an unavoidable requirement that must be met for the city to function.