nullum tempus

quod nullum tempus occurrit regi—that the sovereign is exempt from the consequences of its laches, and from the operation of statutes of limitations. The true reason is to be found in the great public policy of preserving the public rights, revenues, and property from injury and loss, by the negligence of public officers; it is in fact nothing more than a reservation, or exception, introduced for the public benefit, and equally applicable to all governments.