Justice Chambers

THE RADIANT JUSTICE CHAMBERS, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY NEMO DEBET BIS VEXARI PRO UNA ET EADEM CAUSA The Latin maxim “ Nemo Debet Bis Vexari Pro Una Et Eadem Causa” roughly translates "to no person should be punished twice for the same offence". It embodies the well-established common law rule that no one should be put to punishment twice for the same offence. In criminal law, this Latin term is known for the rule against double jeopardy, i.e. the notion that a person should not be “vexed” or punished more than once for any particular case brought against them. In civil law, it means a person should not be sued more than once over the same case. The maxim is not restricted to only the criminal law, it applies equally to civil litigation: no individual should be sued more than once for the same cause. Nemo debet bis vexari pro una et eadem causa is the fundamental principle behind the more readily recognized concept of res judicata.  The modern rule of estoppel b...