Ratio legis est anima legis. The reason of the law is the soul of the law.
Ratio non clauditur loco. Reason is not confined to any place.
Ratio potest allegari deficiente lege, sed vera et legalis et non apparens. Reason may be alleged1 when the law is defective2, but it must be true and legal reason, and not merely apparent. 6 Co. Litt. 191.
Re, verbis, scripto, consensu, traditione, junctura vestes, sumere pacta solent. Compacts are accustomed to be clothed by thing itself, by words, by writing, by consent, by delivery. Plow3. 161.
Receditur a placitis juris, potius quam injuriae et delicta maneant impunita. Positive rules of law will be receded4 from, rather than crimes and wrongs should remain unpunished. Bacon's Max. Reg. 12. This applies only to such maxims5 as are called placita juris; these will be dispensed7 with rather than crimes should go unpunished, quia salus populi suprema lex, because the public safety is the supreme8 law.
Recorda sunt vestigia vetustatis et veritatis. Records are vestiges9 of antiquity10 andtruth. 2 Roll. R. 296.
Recurrendum est ad extraordinarium quando non valet ordinarium. We must have recourse to what is extraordinary, when what is ordinary fails.
Regula pro11 lege, si deficit12 lex. In default of the law, the maxim6 rules.
REgulariter non valet pactum dare mea non alienanda. Regularly a contract not to alienate13 my property is not binding14. Co. Litt. 223.
Rei turpis nullum mandatum est. A mandate15 of an illegal thing is void. Dig. 17, 1, 6, 3.
Reipublicae interest voluntates defunctorum effectum sortiri. It concerns the state that the wills of the dead should have their effect.
Relatio est fictio juris et intenta ad unum. Reference is a fiction of law, and intent to one thing. 3 Co. 28.
Relatio semper fiat16 ut valeat dispositio. Reference should always be had in sucha manner that a disposition17 in a will should avail. 6 Co. 76.