[IDEM libro XXVIIII digestorum. ] §1.3.18.prBenignius leges interpretandae sunt, quo uoluntas earum conseruetur.
[THE SAME, Digest, Book 29] Laws are to be interpreted more liberally, so that their intent may be preserved.
Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §1.3.18.pr
Liberal Interpretation of Laws to Preserve Intent
Summary
This section states the principle that laws should be interpreted more liberally so that their original intent and spirit are preserved.
Notes
- §1.3.18.printerpretandae sunt — A passive periphrastic conjugation consisting of the gerundive 'interpretandae' and the verb 'sunt', expressing obligation or necessity ('must be interpreted' / 'are to be interpreted').
- §1.3.18.prquo — A conjunction introducing a purpose clause ('so that' / 'in order that'). It is regularly used instead of 'ut' when the clause or the main sentence contains a comparative (here, the adverb 'benignius'), and takes the subjunctive ('conseruetur').
Cite this passage
Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §1.3.18.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:1.3.18.pr
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