[ULPIANUS libro quarto de omnibus tribunalibus. ] §2.12.1.prNe quis messium uindemiarumque tempore aduersarium cogat ad iudicium uenire, oratione diui Marci exprimitur, quia occupati circa rem rusticam in forum conpellendi non sunt.
[ULPIANUS, On All Tribunals, book 4] That no one should compel their adversary to come to court during the time of harvest and vintage is expressed in the speech of the divine Marcus, because those occupied with rural matters ought not to be forced into the forum.
§2.12.1.1Sed si praetor aut per ignorantiam uel socordiam euocare eos perseuerauerit hique sponte uenerint: si quidem sententiam dixerit praesentibus illis et sponte litigantibus, sententia ualebit, tametsi non recte fecerit qui eos euocauerit: sin uero, cum abesse perseuerauerint, sententiam protulerit etiam absentibus illis, consequens erit dicere sententiam nullius esse momenti (neque enim praetoris factum iuri derogare oportet): et citra appellationem igitur sententia infirmabitur.
But if the praetor, either through ignorance or negligence, persists in summoning them, and they come voluntarily: if indeed he pronounces judgment while they are present and litigating voluntarily, the judgment will be valid, even though he who summoned them did not act rightly. If on the other hand, while they persist in being absent, he pronounces judgment even in their absence, the logical consequence will be to say that the judgment is of no effect (for the act of a praetor ought not to derogate from the law); and therefore, even without an appeal, the judgment will be invalidated.
§2.12.1.2Sed excipiuntur certae causae, ex quibus cogi poterimus et per id temporis, cum messes uindemiaeque sunt, ad praetorem uenire: scilicet si res tempore peritura sit, hoc est si dilatio actionem sit peremptura.
But certain cases are excepted, in which we can be compelled to come to the praetor even during the time of harvest and vintage: namely, if the thing is about to perish through time, that is, if delay is going to destroy the action.
Sane quotiens res urguet, cogendi quidem sumus ad praetorem uenire, uerum ad hoc tantum cogi aequum est ut lis contestetur, et ita ipsis uerbis orationis exprimitur: denique alterutro recusante post litem contestatam litigare dilationem oratio concessit.
Indeed, whenever the matter is urgent, we must indeed be compelled to come to the praetor, but it is equitable that we be compelled only for the purpose of joining issue, and it is so expressed in the very words of the speech: finally, if either party refuses to litigate after the issue has been joined, the speech has granted an adjournment.