Expert: Maria - 9/15/2008

Question
How does one translate "iudicis est ius dicere sed non dare"?

Answer
Hello,

The Latin phrase “Iudicis est ius dicere, sed non dare” which belongs to the legal language  means:

-“The duty of the judge is to apply  the law, not to make it” .

In fact judges may only apply/interpret  the law, not make it.

Best regards,
Maria
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Note that:

-IUDICIS ( genitive of IUDEX, judge) = The duty of the judge

-EST (from SUM, I am) = is

-IUS (accusative neuter) = the law

-DICERE (infinitive of  DICO) = to apply

-SED = but (omitted in English)

-NON = NOT

-DARE  (Infinitive of the Latin verb DO, I make) = to make