Question

PRINCIPLE: Law does not take notice of trifles.

FACTS: A proposes to his neighbour B that they both should go together for a morning walk. B agrees to the proposal and it is decided that both of them would meet at a particular point at 6 A.M from where they would set off for the morning walk. Inspite of the agreement, B does not turn up. A waits for him at 6 A.M everyday for a continuous period of seven days. Thereafter he files a suit against B claiming damages for the agony and metal torture suffered by him.
DECIDE.

• A. B is guilty of breach of contract and is liable to pay damage.
• B. There is no intention to enter into legal relations.
• C. The matter is too small and the court will refuse to go into it.
• D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The matter is too small and the court will refuse to go into it.

De minimis is a latin expression meaning "about minimal things", normally in the locutions de minimis non curat praetor which means that the praetor does not concern himself with trifles or de minimis non curat lex which means that the law does not concern itself with trifles. It is a legal doctrine by which the court refuses to consider trifling matters.

Hence, in the above situation, the matter is too trivial.