Phrase guide

par delictum

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

The par delictum rule prescribes that a party should not obtain satisfaction from a court of law with where his own conduct is wrongful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • The 'clean hands doctrine', derived from English law, is similar in effect to the Roman law maxim in pari delicto potior est conditio defendentis, which operated as an absolute bar to the grant of relief to the plaintiff. The par delictum rule is concerned with the moral guilt of contracting parties, not their criminal liability.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin in pari delicto potior est conditio defendentis (“if both (parties) are in the wrong, a defence is set up”).