Literal Meaning
Words ought to serve the intention, not the reverse.
Explanation & Origin
Verba Intentioni Non e Contra, Debent Inservire is a legal maxim, used in India, with the following meaning: Words ought to be made subservient to the intent, and not contrary to it.
Verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire , words ought to be made subservient to the intent, not contrary to it.
Words ought to be made subservient to the intent, and not the other way about.
Illustration
If A and B enters into a contract in which A agrees to sell his land to B. This contract express A’s intention to sell his land to B and not the reverse.
Case Reference
Commissioner Of Income-Tax, … vs Shree Jagan Nath Maheshwary, [18th February 1957]
In this case it was held that the effect that it is better for a statute to have effect, than to be made void, (ut res valeat potius quam pereat), I may take the liberty of supplementing, that it is desirable that the words should be made subservient and not contrary to the intention of the Legislature (verba intentioni non e contra, debent inservire).
Edited by Vigneshwar Ramasubramania
Approved & Published – Sakshi Raje
