Legal Definitions - de minimis non curat lex

Definition:De minimis non curat lex is a Latin phrase that means "the law does not concern itself with trifles." It is often shortened to de minimis.

Examples:

• A person who receives a parking ticket for being one minute over the time limit may argue that the violation is de minimis and should not be enforced.
• A company that accidentally underpays an employee by a few cents may argue that the amount is de minimis and not worth pursuing legal action over.

These examples illustrate how de minimis can be used to argue that a minor violation or mistake should not be subject to legal action. Essentially, the law recognizes that not every small infraction is worth pursuing and that some things can be overlooked.