Casus Belli

An occurrence giving rise to or justifying war. CASUS FOEDERIS (Lat.)

In international law. A case within the stipulations of a treaty. The question whether, in case of a treaty of alliance, a nation is bound to assist its ally in war against a third nation, is determined in a great measure by the justice or injustice of the war. If manifestly unjust on the part of the ally, it cannot be considered as casus foederis. Grotius de Jure Belli, bk. 2, c. 25; Vattel, bk. 2, c. 12, § 168. See 1 Kent, Comm. 49. CASUS FORTUITUS (Lat.) An inevitable accident; a loss happening in spite of all human effort and sagacity. 3 Kent, Comm. 217, 800. through the agency of rats was held an unforeseen, but not an inevitable, accident. 1 Curt. C. C. (U. S.) 148. The happening of a casus fortuitus excuses ship owners from liability for goods conveyed. 3 Kent, Comm. 216. CASUS FORTUITUS NON EST SPERANdus, et nemo tenetup divinare. A fortuitous event is not to be foreseen, and no person is held bound to divine it. 4 Coke, 66. CASUS FORTUITUS NON EST SUPponendus. A fortuitous event is not to be presumed. Hardr. 82, arg. CASUS MAJOR (Lat.) An unusual accident. Story, Bailm. § 240. CASUS OMISSUS (Lat.) A case which is not provided for. When such cases arise in statutes which are intended to provide for all cases of a given character which may arise, the common law governs. 5 Coke, 38; 11 East, 1; 2 Bin. (Pa.) 279; 2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 260; Brown, Max. 37. A casus omissus may occur in a contract as well as in a statute. 2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 260. CASUS OMISSUS ET OBLIVIONI DATUS disposition! communis juris relinquitur. A case omitted and forgotten is left to the disposal of the common law. 5 Coke, 37; Broom, Leg. Max. (3d London Ed.) 45; 1 Exch. 476. CATALLA (Law Lat.)

In old English law. Chattels, or catals, as anciently written. A term including all property movable and immovable, except fees and freeholds. This word is considered by Spelman as derived, by contraction, from capitalia. The singular, catallum (q. v.), rarely occurs, although Bracton uses it in several places. Catalla, according to the same writer, had nearly or quite the sense of averia (beasts or cattle), being demandable under that name. Bracton, fol. 159b. See "Averia." It seems to have been, from a very early period, united with the word bona, in the phrase bona et catalla, of which the familiar modern phrase "goods and chattels" is a translation. Bracton, fol. 60b; Reg. Grig. 140, 141. CATALLA JUSTE POSSESSA AMITTI non possunt. Chattels justly possessed Cannot be lost. Jenk. Cent. Cas. 28. CATALLA OTIOSA (Lat.) Dead goods, and animals other than beasts of the plough, averia carucae, and sheep. 3 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 9; Bracton, 217b. CATALLA REPUTANTUR INTER MIN- Ima in lege.,Chattels are considered in law among the minor things. Jenk. Cent. Cas. 52. in a borough, and authorized distress of windews, doors, etc.

A cause or occasion of war.

An occurrence giving rise to or justifying war.

Defined under Casus in Black's Law Dictionary.