What is the meaning of the legal maxim 'res ipsa loquitur'?
Res ipsa loquitur means ‘the thing speaks for itself.’ In a negligence claim, the circumstances of an accident may support an inference of negligence if the thing that…
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What is the meaning of the legal maxim 'res ipsa loquitur'?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer B
Res ipsa loquitur means ‘the thing speaks for itself.’ In a negligence claim, the circumstances of an accident may support an inference of negligence if the thing that caused the harm was under the exclusive management of the defendant and such an accident ordinarily would not happen with proper care.
Option feedback
Option A
A next friend represents someone unable to sue on their own behalf. Res ipsa loquitur means ‘the thing speaks for itself.’
Option B
Correct: The Latin maxim 'res ipsa loquitur' literally translates to 'the thing speaks for itself', a rule of evidence in negligence law whereby prima facie negligence may be inferred from the very nature of an accident.
Option C
Incorrect: 'In good faith' corresponds to the Latin phrase 'bona fide', not 'res ipsa loquitur'.
Option D
Incorrect: 'Equal with' or 'on an equal footing' corresponds to 'pari passu', not 'res ipsa loquitur'.
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