Magna Carta Highlights
Clauses 10, 17, 18, 20 and 26
Clause #10
• If someone borrows money from an
interest-charging lender and dies, the
borrowers next of kin doesn’t have to pay
interest on the loan until he/she is of age.
Clause #17
• The court system will be in the same place,
all the time, and not follow the king around.
• This is important because citizens no longer
have to wait for an audience with the king
to settle their lawsuits, grievances, etc.
Clause #18
• This clause establishes where the court will
be and that the justices (judges) of the court
will be qualified and respected individuals
Clause #20
• This clause basically says that the
punishment must fit the crime. i.e. a man
can’t be put to death for speeding or
something equally trivial.
• The punishment of the court, for a trivial
offense, can’t deprive a man of his
livelihood.
Clause #26
• Anyone who owes another person money
and dies is still responsible for the debt.
• This clause also says that the next of kin
doesn’t get any inheritance until all debts
are settled.
• However, if there are no debts to be settled,
all inheritance will go to the next of kin.