VIS - A Latin word which signifies force.
In law it means any kind of force, violence, or disturbance,
relating to a man's person or his property.
VIS IMPRESSA - Immediate force; original
force. This phrase is applied to cases of trespass when
a question arises whether an injury has been caused
by a direct force, or one which is indirect. When the
original force, or vis impressa, had ceased to act before
the injury commenced, then there is no force, the effect
is mediate, and the proper remedy is trespass on the
case.
When the injury is the immediate consequence of the
force or vis proxima, trespass vi et armis lies.
VIS MAJOR - A superior force. In law
it signifies inevitable accident.
This term is used in the civil law in nearly the same
same way that the words act of God, are used in the
common law. Generally, no one is responsible for an
accident which arises from the vis major; but a man
may be so where he has stipulated that he would; and
when he has been guilty of a fraud or deceit.
