Question

The Latin maxim ‘Ex turpi causa non oritur actio’ means

• A. From a dishonourable cause, an action does not arise
• B. No recovery of damages if arisen from an illegal activity
• C. None of the above
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The Latin maxim ‘Ex turpi causa non oritur actio’ is a legal principle used to describe situations where a party is prevented from pursuing legal remedies when their cause of action arises from their own illegal or unethical acts. When translated, it means "From a dishonourable cause, an action does not arise". This principle is essential in legal contexts where courts refuse to aid those engaged in illegal or immoral acts by allowing them to seek civil remedies.

Options Analysis:

• From a dishonourable cause, an action does not arise: This is a direct translation of the Latin maxim, emphasizing the fundamental idea that legal actions cannot stem from wrongful acts.
• No recovery of damages if arisen from an illegal activity: This interpretation aligns with disallowing legal recovery when the basis of the action is illicit, further illustrating the application of the maxim in preventing claims based on unlawful causes.
• None of the above: Incorrect selection as the first two options correctly capture the essence of the maxim.
• All of the above: The most suitable answer since both accurate explanations of the maxim’s implication are provided in the first two options.

Thus, the correct answer is: All of the above, since it encompasses both explanations of the legal maxim’s significance.