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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §1.7.16.pr

Principle of Adoption Following Natural Parentage

Passage 118 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Explains the fundamental principle that adoption can only take place between persons where a natural parent-child relationship is also possible.

[IAUOLENUS libro sexto ex Cassio. ] §1.7.16.prAdoptio enim in his personis locum habet, in quibus etiam natura potest habere.
[JAVOLENUS in the sixth book from Cassius.] For adoption takes place in the case of those persons in whose case nature also can do so.

Notes

  1. §1.7.16.prnatura potest habere — Following the verb phrase locum habet in the preceding main clause, locum is understood to be omitted after habere (i.e., natura [locum] habere potest). It means 'nature also can take place (or establish the relationship),' representing the Roman law principle that 'adoption imitates nature' (adoptio naturam imitatur), meaning adoption is only permitted in relationships that could naturally exist (e.g., regarding the age difference between adopter and adopted).

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §1.7.16.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:1.7.16.pr

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