Latin quote · Justice
Venire contra factum proprium
“To go against one’s own act.”
Legal maxim
Translation
What does “Venire contra factum proprium” mean?
Venire contra factum proprium translates as “To go against one’s own act.”
You cannot contradict your own earlier conduct when others have relied on it. Behaving inconsistently to someone’s detriment is a breach of good faith.
Origin
The story behind it
A principle of good faith developed from Roman sources by medieval jurists and still applied in civil-law courts; it resembles estoppel in common law.
When to use it
How to use “Venire contra factum proprium”
A sharp line for a negotiation workshop on consistency and trust.
- Latin
- Venire contra factum proprium
- English
- To go against one’s own act.
- Source
- Legal maxim
- Era
- Legal Latin
- Theme
- Justice
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