Summum ius, summa iniuria (the greatest law is the greatest injustice). This maxim, originating in the Ancient Rome, illustrates the reason for which individuals defending the rights of others can be found in every society, beginning with the ancient times. Translated to English, it means, that even the greatest law, treated too literally, leads to a great injustice. The ethos of defence attorneys is to guarantee, that the situation described in the maxim will never occur.