Lex non cogit ad impossibilia

“Lex non cogit ad impossibilia” is a Latin legal maxim that translates to “The law does not compel the impossible” in English. This principle is fundamental in legal systems worldwide and signifies that individuals cannot be required to do something impossible for them to accomplish. It reflects a common-sense understanding that the law should be just and reasonable, taking into account practical limitations and constraints. If complying with a legal requirement is genuinely impossible, it should not be enforced or used as the basis for punishment or liability.