Jus cogens

Definition - Noun
[New Latin, literally, constraining law]
: a principle of international law that is based on values taken to be fundamental to the international community and that cannot be set aside (as by treaty) <it is doubtful that any state has ever violated jus cogens norms on a scale rivaling that of the Third Reich ­Princz v. Federal Republic of Germany, 26 F.3d 1166 (1994)> <genocide and slave trade are violations of jus cogens>
Pronunciation-'kä-g&nz, -'kO-gens

Pronunciation Key

  • \&\ as a and u in a b ut
  • \[^&]\ as e in kitt en
  • \&r\ as ur and er in f urther
  • \a\ as a inash
  • \A\ as a in ace
  • \Š\ as o in m op
  • \au\ as ou in ou t
  • \ch\ as ch in ch in
  • \e\ as e in bet
  • \E\ as ea in easy
  • \g\ as g in go
  • \i\ as i in hit
  • \I\ as i in ice
  • \j\ as j in job
  • \[ng]\ as ng in sing
  • \O\ as o in go
  • \o\ as aw in law
  • \oi\ as oy in boy
  • \th\ as th in thin
  • \[th_]\ as thin the
  • \Ÿ\ as oo in loot
  • \u\ as oo in foot
  • \y\ as y in yet
  • \zh\ as si in vision


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    Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
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    inevitable discovery

    a doctrine in criminal law: evidence obtained by methods that are unconstitutional may be admissible if it would have been inevitably discovered without the unlawful methods


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