''Nemo judex in causa sua'' (or ''nemo judex in sua causa'') (which, in

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

, literally means "no-one is judge in his own cause") is a principle of

natural justice In English law, natural justice is technical terminology for the rule against bias (''nemo iudex in causa sua'') and the right to a fair hearing ('' audi alteram partem''). While the term ''natural justice'' is often retained as a general c ...

that no person can judge a case in which they have an interest. In many jurisdictions the rule is very strictly applied to any appearance of a possible bias, even if there is actually none: "Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done". This principle may also be called: * ''nemo judex idoneus in propria causa est'' * ''nemo judex in parte sua'' * ''nemo judex in re sua'' * ''nemo debet esse judex in propria causa'' * ''in propria causa nemo judex'' The legal effect of a breach of natural justice is normally to stop the proceedings and render any judgment invalid; it should be quashed or appealed, but may be remitted for a valid re-hearing. The phrase is credited to Sir

Edward Coke Edward is an English given name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortune; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”. History The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-Sa ...

in the seventeenth century, but has also been attested as early as 1544.

See also

References

Further reading