Melius Est Jus Defici

ENS QUAM jus incertum. Law that is deficient is better than law that is uncertain. Lofft, 395. MELIUS EST OMNIA MALA PATI quam consentire. It is better to suffer every wi;ong or ill than to consent to it. 3 Inst. 23. MELIUS EST PETERE PONTES QUAM sectari rivulos. It is better to go to the fountain head than to follow little streamlets. MELIUS EST RECURRERE QUAM MAlo currere. It is better to recede than to proceed wrongly. 4 Inst. 176. MELIUS INQUIRENDUM VEL INQUIrendo.

In old English practice. A writ which, in certain cases, issued after an imperfect inquisition returned on a capias utligatum in outlavrey. This melms inquirendwm commanded the sheriff to summon another inquest in order that the value, etc., of lands, etc., might be better or more correctly ascertained.