Legal Definitions - stricti juris

Definition: Stricti juris (strik-tIjoor-is) is a Latin term that means "of strict right of law." It refers to following the exact law without any extension or enhancement in interpretation. This term is often used for servitudes because they restrict the free exercise of property rights. In Roman law, stricti juris refers to a contract that must be interpreted strictly on its terms, regardless of circumstances.

Example 1: A property owner has a servitude on their land that restricts the height of any buildings they can construct. They must follow this restriction strictly, without any interpretation that would allow them to build higher.

Example 2: In a contract, there is a clause that states a payment must be made within 30 days of receiving an invoice. If the payment is not made within this time, the contract is considered breached. This clause must be interpreted strictly, and no circumstances can excuse a late payment.

These examples illustrate the concept of stricti juris, where the law or contract must be followed exactly without any leniency or interpretation that would go beyond the strict terms.