Legal Definitions - molliter manus imposuit

Definition: Molliter manus imposuit is a Latin phrase that means "he gently laid hands upon." This phrase was used in actions of trespass and assault to justify a defendant's use of force as reasonable, as when it was necessary to keep the peace.

Example: If someone is causing a disturbance and you gently place your hand on their shoulder to calm them down, you could use molliter manus imposuit to justify your actions if they later accused you of assault.

Explanation: The phrase molliter manus imposuit is used to describe a situation where someone uses physical force, but does so in a gentle and non-threatening way. In the example given, the person is using their hand to touch the shoulder of the person causing the disturbance, but they are doing so in a way that is not aggressive or violent. This use of force is considered reasonable because it is necessary to keep the peace, and molliter manus imposuit can be used to justify it in court.