FIAT JUSTITIA

Doth God pervert judgement? Or doth the Almighty pervert justice? (Job 8v3) Nay, touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power, and in judgement, and in plenty of Justice: He will not afflict. (Job 37v23). For the LORD is a God of judgment (Elohei mishpat- the God of Justice): blessed are all they that wait for Him (Isaiah 30v18). His justice and mercy are seen most vividly in the cross of Christ.

‘Fiat’ is a latin word meaning ‘let it be done’; It basically refers to an order or decree by the court relating to routine matters. The term ‘Fiat justitia’ simply means ‘Let Justice be done’ It is no mean fact that to do Justice and Judgement is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Prov.21v3). Justice is s fundamental nature of God – He shows no respect of persons, no partiality, He is a just God and a Saviour whose judgement is just (John5v30) Do you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgement and justice? ‘Fiat Justitia’ – ‘Do justice’– rectify it, for thus saith the LORD in Isaiah 56:1, ‘Keep ye judgement, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.’ 

Now the Cambridge dictionary defines justice basically as fairness in the way people are dealt with, with synonyms like equity and impartiality. Justice also refers to the system of laws in a country that judges and punishes people. Justice is a quality, a principle or ideal of being just, impartial, or fair; just dealing or right action, and Conformity to – this principle or ideal (Righteousness), the Law, and to truth, fact, or reason (Correctness). Merriam-Webster explains Justice as the administration of law especially the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity. Thus, we are to maintain and administer what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments.

The Black’s law dictionary, similarly, outlines Justice as the fair treatment of people, the quality of being fair or reasonable; the fair and proper administration of laws and the legal system by which people and their causes are judged; esp. the system used to punish people who have committed crimes. The great Roman jurist Ulpian famously defined justice as ‘To live honourably, not to harm your neighbour, to give every one his due.’ ‘Honeste vivere, alterum non laeere, suum cuique tribuere.’ Justice is thus identical with the ethics of who should receive benefits and burdens. (Sanowski, 2005).

‘Fiat justitia’ culled from the Crown’s commission to the House of Lords to hear an appeal -the maxim “Fiat Justitia, ruat coelum” gives the extent to which we should go in pursuance of Justice. It translates thus as ‘Go heaven to wreck – so Justice be but done, and what is the ruin of kingdoms in comparison of the wreck of heaven?’ (J. Bentham, 1823). It is trite knowledge the national motto of Ghana: Freedom and Justice, representing the fundamental human rights of all men and women, boy and girl on this plane. What have you done in pursuing, administering and ensuring justice, fairness and the right thing is done? Are you guilty of this charge in Isaiah 59:4— ‘None calleth for justice, nor does any plead for truth.’ Do you trust in vanity, and speak lies, conceiving mischief (evil) and bringing forth vanity? Is there any justice in your way, in the way you treat others, as you are in a position of power?

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6v8). How do you do this? Fiat justitia, ruat caelum. Defend the poor and the fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and the needy. (Psalm 82v3), even though the heavens come down.

King David’s administration shows us that doing judgement and Justice brings establishment. (2 Sam 8v15, 2 Chron. 9v8). As this penultimate month of 2025 breaks, being made kings and priests unto God our Father, may we do justly, according to His ancient royal word. Because justice and judgement (righteousness) are the habitation or foundation of his throne: mercy and truth shall go before his face. (Psalm 89v14). Amos 5v15 exhorts us to hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate, that the Lord may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Fiat justitia in the boardrooms and bedrooms, from the classrooms, school campuses and consulting rooms, let justice be done. In the governmental chambers to the prison cells let justice flow. From Chiefs’ palaces to administrative offices, from market squares to the kitchens, across counters and cabinets let justice flow. Treat your workers and helpers right. Let integrity and truth prevail among directors, bosses, supervisors and staff. Let it run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5v24). Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr echoed this in 1963, as do we now, in this artificial intelligence driven 2025 dispensation for posterity, emphasizing fairness, respect for human dignity, and right treatment of our neighbours. #StopGalamseyNow!

Fiat justitia, ruat caelum. Let justice be done, though the heavens fall. Let there be corrective justice and distributive justice, as distinguished by Aristotle. Let us have maximum liberty, equality for all and zero inequality as argued by John Rawls in his theory of Justice. And in this pursuit, let justice not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done per the dictum of Lord Hewart CJ (R v Sussex Justices), as opined by Lord Atkin in the landmark case of Shrager v Basil Dighton (1923). ‘For where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where belief of oppression exists (turning justice to wormwood –Amos5v7) …neither persons nor property will be safe.’ (Frederick Douglass, famous abolitionist, statesman, 1818-1895).

God will reveal our justice clearly as the noonday, and our righteousness will go forth as brightness (Ps37v6, Isa.62v1) for He says in Isa 61:8 ‘I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth…’The Lord of the Sabbath came to declare Justice to the Gentiles (Matt.12v18). Forever, O Lord thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119v89). Heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of the God of Justice will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24v35). Thus, let justice be done, though the heavens fall. Fiat justitia, ruat caelum!

By Louisa Betse Ninson