Ignorantia Facit Execusat,Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat – It means ignorance of facts is excusable but ignorance of law is not excusable. In ignorance of facts,it provides a defense to an individual who may have caused harm to others due to lack of knowledge or information.
In ignorance of law,it places a responsibility on the individual to follow and know the law ,regardless whether they were aware of the law or not.
- Ignorantia :-ignorance
- Facit :- facts
- Juris :- law
- Execusat :- excusable
Example :-
Ignorance of fact – if a person was driving a car and accidentally hit a pedestrian who suddenly ran onto the road, the driver may be able to use “Ignorantia Facti Excusat” as a defence if they can prove that they did not see the pedestrian and could not have avoided the accident.
Ignorance of law – a person caught traveling on a train without a ticket cannot claim ignorance of the law as a defense and will be punished under Section 138 of The Indian Railways Act, 1989 .