Non Liquet: What It Means and Its Role in Legal Contexts
Definition & Meaning
The term non liquet is derived from Latin and translates to "it is not clear." In legal contexts, it refers to a situation where there is no applicable law to resolve a specific case. This means that a court may find itself unable to provide an answer or ruling due to the absence of relevant legal provisions. Non liquet is particularly significant in international law, where courts cannot create laws to address unique circumstances. The term lacuna is often used to describe a gap in the law that leads to such situations.