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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §14.5.1.pr

Equitable Actions Granted Against Masters for Contracts of Dependents

Passage 2232 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Gaius explains how the proconsul provides equitable remedies (actions based on order, profit, or peculium) to protect third parties contracting with individuals under another's power when primary actions are unavailable.

[GAIUS libro nono ad edictum prouinciale. ] §14.5.1.prOmnia proconsul agit, ut qui contraxit cum eo, qui in aliena potestate sit, etiamsi deficient superiores actiones, id est exercitoria institoria tributoriaue, nihilo minus tamen in quantum ex bono et aequo res patitur suum consequatur.
[Gaius, on the Provincial Edict, Book 9] The proconsul takes all measures so that a person who has contracted with someone in another's power, even if the higher actions—that is, the exercitorian, institorian, or tributorian actions—are lacking, may nevertheless recover his due as far as equity and justice permit.
siue enim iussu eius, cuius in potestate sit, negotium gestum fuerit, in solidum eo nomine iudicium pollicetur: siue non iussu, sed tamen in rem eius uersum fuerit, eatenus introducit actionem, quatenus in rem eius uersum fuerit: siue neutrum eorum sit, de peculio actionem constituit.
For if the transaction was carried out by the order of the person in whose power he is, the proconsul promises a trial for the full amount under that name; or if not by his order, but it was nevertheless turned to his profit, he grants an action to the extent that it was turned to his profit; or if it is neither of these, he establishes an action concerning the peculium.

Notes

  1. §14.5.1.prnihilo minus tamen — The phrase nihilo minus tamen is an emphatic expression meaning "nevertheless" or "none the less." It corresponds to the preceding concessive clause etiamsi... ("even if... are lacking") to reinforce the fulfillment of the main clause suum consequatur ("may recover his due").
  2. §14.5.1.prin solidum — In a legal context, in solidum refers to liability "for the whole amount" or "without limitation." It indicates that if the dominant person gave an order (iussu) for the transaction of the subordinate, they are held liable for the entire debt rather than being limited to the value of the peculium.
  3. §14.5.1.prin rem eius uersum fuerit — The phrase in rem uersum refers to the transaction conducted by a subordinate being "turned to the profit" or "applied to the estate" of the superior (master or father). Based on this fact, the action for profit turned to account (actio de in rem verso) is granted to hold the superior liable to the extent of that profit (eatenus... quatenus...).

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §14.5.1.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:14.5.1.pr

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