Quote#Remembrance
In a perfectly new case—a case altogether primae impressionis—I think…
Quote bySir Frederick Pollock, 1st Baronet · 1783–1870
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Brownlow v. Egerton (1854), 23 L. J. Rep. Part 5 (N.S.) Ch. 382..
English (original)
In a perfectly new case—a case altogether primae impressionis—I think the Judges are bound to hold fast to the principles of the common law—to remember the maxim, "Salus reipublicae suprema lex," and if the condition be really in principle against the public good, to pronounce it in their judgment void.
— Sir Frederick Pollock, 1st Baronet
More from Sir Frederick Pollock, 1st Baronet
I remember Lord Eldon saying to counsel, " You have told us how far the cases have gone, will you now tell us where they are to stop?" I think it is now time that we should say where the cases are to stop.
Judges are philologists of the highest order.
You have no right, for the purpose of justifying a libel, to inquire into a man's life and opinions.
You need not cite cases that are familiar.
The Crown cannot ever be prejudiced by the misconduct or negligence of any of its officers.
In criminal cases you always begin by proving the corpus delicti, and then connect the prisoner with it.