LEX. The law. A law for the government of mankind in society. Among the ancient Romans, this word was frequently used as synonymous with right, jus. When put absolutely, lex meant the Law of the Twelve Tables.

LEX FALCIDIA, civ. law. The name of a law which permitted a testator to dispose of three-fourtbs of his property, but he could not deprive his heir of the other fourth. It was made during the reign¹ of Augustus, about the year of Rome 714, on the requisition of Falcidius, a tribune. Inst. 2, 22; Dig. 35, 2; Code, 6, 50;. and Nov. 1 and 131. Vide article Legitime, and Coop. Just. 486; Rob. Frauds, 290, note 113.

LEX FORI, practice. The law of the court or forum².

2. The forms of remedies, the modes of proceeding³, and the execution of judgments⁴, are to be regulated solely⁵ and exclusively, by the laws of the place where the action is instituted or as the civilians⁶ uniformly express it, according to the lex fori. Story, Confl. of Laws, §550; 1 Caines' Rep. 402; 3 Johns. Ch. R. 190; 5 Johns. R. 132; 2 Mass. R. 84; 7 Mass. R. 515; 3 Conn. R. 472; 7 M. R. 214; 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 860.

LEX LOCI CONTRACTUS, contracts. The law of the place where an agreement is made.

2. Generally, the validity of a contract is to be decided⁸ by the law of the place where, the contract is made; if valid⁷, there it is, in general, valid everywhere. Story, Confl. of Laws, §242, and the cases there cited. And vice⁹ versa if void or illegal there, it is generally void everywhere. Id §243; 2 Kent Com. 457; 4 M. R. 584; 7 M. R. 213; 11 M. R. 730; 12 M. R. 475; 1 N. S. 202; 5 N. S. 585; 6 N. S. 76; 6 L. R. 676; 6 N. S. 631; 4 Blackf. R. 89.

3. There is an exception to the rule as to the universal validity of contracts. The comity¹⁰ of nations, by virtue¹¹ of which such contracts derive¹² their force in foreign countries, cannot prevail in cases where it violates the law of our own country, the law of nature, or the law of God. 2 Barn. & Cresw. 448, 471. And a furthIer exeeption may be mentioned, namely, that no nation will regard or enforce the revenue laws of another country. Cas. Tem. 85, 89, 194.

4. When the contract is entered into in one place, to be executed in another, there are two loci contractus; the locus¹³ celebrate contractus, and the locus solutionis; the former governs in everything which relates to the mode of construing¹⁴ the contract, the meaning to be attached to the expressions, and the nature and validity of the engagement; but the latter governs the performance of the agreement. 8 N. S. 34. Vide 15 Serg. & Rawle 84; 2 Mass. R. 88; 1 Nott & M'Cord, 173; 2 Harr. & Johns. 193, 221; 2 N. H. Rep. 42; 5 Id. 401; 2 John. Cas. 355; 5 Pardes. n. 1482; Bac. Abr. Bail¹⁵ in Civil Causes, B 5; Com. Dig. 545, n.; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 270; 8 Ves. 198; 5 Ves. 750.

LEX LONGOBARDORUM. The name of an ancient code in force among the Lombards. It contains many evident traces of feudal¹⁶ policy. It survived the destruction of the ancient government of Lombardy by Charlemagne, and is said to be still partially¹⁷ in force in some districts of Italy.

LEX MERCATORIA. That system of laws which is adopted by all commercial nations, and which, therefore, constitutes a part of the law of the land. Vide Law Merchant.