Lex animata

Lex animata — the law animate — is a Latin term for the law being embodied in a living entity, usually the sovereign by the grace of God. In that sense a king could be lex animata, a living, breathing law. This worked both ways, the argument went: the king was law, but he could not do but as the law instructed.[1]

This idea is sometimes traced to king James I of England who said "Rex est lex" ([The] King is [the] Law), an idea moderated by his successor, king Charles I of England as "A Deo rex, a rege lex", meaning that regal powers come from God, while legal powers derive from the king. These ideas were later deconstructed by Montesquieu and other constitutional thinkers of the Enlightenment.

Modern usage

The idea of Lex animata is sometimes used in modern political debate, usually to scorn an opponent for being too self-important or delusional about his insights into the law and constitutional affairs.

In judicial circles it is sometimes used in jest, recognising a peer as an authority on the law in general.

gollark: I'm doing A-level physics (and maths, further maths and computer science) next year, but I'm somewhat distrustful of schools' ability to actually usefully teach (some) things.
gollark: I didn't, though we did cover... general radioactive stuff... for GCSE physics.
gollark: It's not like you can unping people.
gollark: What sort of stuff was on the test, anyway? I don't really electronics so I never did it.
gollark: > It was not that hard tho anyone could have passedYou are really underestimating the stupidity of *some* people.

References
  1. Rutherford, Samuel (1644), Lex, Rex [The Law and the Prince], Constitution.
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