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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §1.3.16.pr

Paulus's Definition of Singular Law and Its Justification

Passage 35 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Paulus defines singular law (ius singulare) as a legal rule introduced by the authority of legislators for a particular utility, despite being contrary to the consistent line of reason.

[PAULUS libro singulari de iure singulari. ] §1.3.16.prIus singulare est, quod contra tenorem rationis propter aliquam utilitatem auctoritate constituentium introductum est.
[PAULUS on the Single Book on Singular Law] Singular law is that which, contrary to the tenor of reason, has been introduced for some utility by the authority of those who establish it.

Notes

  1. §1.3.16.prconstituentium — The genitive plural of the present participle constituentium (from constituere, 'to establish' or 'to enact'), used substantively to mean 'those who establish [laws]' or 'legislators'. It functions as a subjective genitive modifying the noun auctoritate.
  2. §1.3.16.prtenorem rationis — The noun tenor means 'course, continuous progress, or spirit'. Combined with the genitive rationis ('of reason'), it denotes 'the consistent course of reason' or 'rational consistency', corresponding to ratio iuris in the preceding fragment (D. 1.3.15.pr).

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §1.3.16.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:1.3.16.pr

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