Magna Carta

and Modern Australia

Magna Carta is one of the most famous documents in the world. First written in 1215, it set out rules limiting the power of the monarchy and safeguarding basic human rights. Over its long history it has been reinterpreted as an icon of justice and liberty. Magna Carta is one of the historic foundations of Australian democracy. Its principles about the rule of law and good government remain relevant today.

Explore Magna Carta through its clauses or view the stories to discover how people have used this medieval document to shape modern Australia.

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52

Si quis fuerit disseisitus vel elongatus per nos sine legali iudicio parium suorum de terris, castellis libertatibus vel jure suo statim ea ei restituemus; et si concencio super hoc orta fuerit, tunc inde fiat per iudicium viginti quinque baronum de quibus fit mencio inferius in securitate pacis. De omnibus autem illis de quibus aliquis disseisitus fuerit vel elongatus sine legali iudicio parium suorum per Henricum Regem patrem nostrum vel per Ricardum Regem fratrem nostrum que in manu nostra habemus, vel que alii tenent que nos oporteat warantizare respectum habebimus usque ad communem terminum crucesignatorum; exceptis illis de quibus placitum motum fuit vel inquisicio facta per preceptum nostrum, ante suscepcionem crucis nostre. Cum autem redierimus de peregrinacione nostra vel si forte remanserimus a peregrinacione nostra statim inde pleman iusticiam exhibebimus.

To any man whom we have deprived or dispossessed of lands, castles, liberties, or rights, without the lawful judgement of his equals, we will at once restore these. In cases of dispute the matter shall be resolved by the judgement of the twenty-five barons referred to below in the clause for securing the peace. In cases, however, where a man was deprived or dispossessed of something without the lawful judgement of his equals by our father King Henry or our brother King Richard, and it remains in our hands or is held by others under our warranty, we shall have respite for the period commonly allowed to Crusaders, unless a lawsuit had been begun, or an enquiry had been made at our order, before we took the Cross as a Crusader. On our return from the Crusade, or if we abandon it, we will at once render justice in full.

and Modern Australia
Clause 52
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Si quis fuerit disseisitus vel elongatus per nos sine legali iudicio parium suorum de terris, castellis libertatibus vel jure suo statim ea ei restituemus; et si concencio super hoc orta fuerit, tunc inde fiat per iudicium viginti quinque baronum de quibus fit mencio inferius in securitate pacis. De omnibus autem illis de quibus aliquis disseisitus fuerit vel elongatus sine legali iudicio parium suorum per Henricum Regem patrem nostrum vel per Ricardum Regem fratrem nostrum que in manu nostra habemus, vel que alii tenent que nos oporteat warantizare respectum habebimus usque ad communem terminum crucesignatorum; exceptis illis de quibus placitum motum fuit vel inquisicio facta per preceptum nostrum, ante suscepcionem crucis nostre. Cum autem redierimus de peregrinacione nostra vel si forte remanserimus a peregrinacione nostra statim inde pleman iusticiam exhibebimus.

To any man whom we have deprived or dispossessed of lands, castles, liberties, or rights, without the lawful judgement of his equals, we will at once restore these. In cases of dispute the matter shall be resolved by the judgement of the twenty-five barons referred to below in the clause for securing the peace. In cases, however, where a man was deprived or dispossessed of something without the lawful judgement of his equals by our father King Henry or our brother King Richard, and it remains in our hands or is held by others under our warranty, we shall have respite for the period commonly allowed to Crusaders, unless a lawsuit had been begun, or an enquiry had been made at our order, before we took the Cross as a Crusader. On our return from the Crusade, or if we abandon it, we will at once render justice in full.