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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §17.2.51.pr-17.2.51.1

Theft of Shared Property and Liability under the Lex Fabia

Passage 2553 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Ulpian discusses that an action for theft lies against a co-owner only if they removed the shared property with malicious intent, and that they may be held liable under the Lex Fabia if they kidnap or conceal a shared slave.

[ULPIANUS libro trigensimo ad Sabinum. ] §17.2.51.prMerito autem adiectum est ita demum furti actionem esse, si per fallaciam et dolo malo amouit, quia, cum sine dolo malo fecit, furti non tenetur: et sane plerumque credendum est eum, qui partis dominus est, iure potius suo re uti quam furti consilium inire.
[ULPIAN, in his thirtieth book on Sabinus.] However, it was rightly added that there is an action for theft only if he removed it through deceit and with malicious intent, because, when he did so without malicious intent, he is not held liable for theft; and indeed, it should generally be believed that he who is the owner of a share is using the thing by his own right rather than entering into a plan of theft.
§17.2.51.1Et ideo uidebimus, an Fabia teneatur.
And therefore we shall see whether he is held liable under the Lex Fabia.
et ratio quidem facit, ne teneatur, uerum si plagium fecit uel suppressit, Fabia teneri.
And indeed, reason makes for his not being held liable; but if he committed kidnapping or concealed it, he is held liable under the Lex Fabia.

Notes

  1. §17.2.51.1Fabia — Ablative feminine singular, modifying the omitted noun 'lege' (law). It refers to the 'Lex Fabia de plagiariis,' which penalized the kidnapping or illegal confinement of slaves or free persons.
  2. §17.2.51.1ratio quidem facit, ne teneatur — The verb 'facit' takes a 'ne' clause as a substantive object clause, meaning 'it causes that...' or 'it makes for...'. 'ratio' (legal reasoning, logic) is the subject.
  3. §17.2.51.1Fabia teneri — 'teneri' is a present passive infinitive. It is either connected to the preceding 'uidebimus' via the indirect question or understood as an accusative with infinitive construction (with the subject 'eum' omitted) depending on an implied verb of thinking or declaring, meaning '[it is held that] he is liable under the Lex Fabia.'

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §17.2.51.pr-17.2.51.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:17.2.51.pr-17.2.51.1

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