1. Concept and origins
The formula princeps legibus solutus (Latin “The prince is not bound by the laws”) is a paroemia, an axiom taken from Roman law, that acquired increasing importance in juristic discourse concerning the powers of princes, particularly the right to legislate (Legislation), from the high Middle Ages onwards.
Like many other legal proverbs of this type, the formula princeps legibus solutus moved far away from…