[ULPIANUS libro quinto ad edictum. ] §2.8.2.prFideiussor in iudicio sistendi causa locuples uidetur dari non tantum ex facultatibus, sed etiam ex conueniendi facilitate.
[ULPIANUS, in the fifth book on the Edict.] A surety given for the purpose of appearance in court is deemed solvent not only from his means, but also from the ease of summoning him.
§2.8.2.1Si quis his personis, quae agere non potuerunt, fideiussorem iudicio sistendi causa dederit, frustra erit datio.
If anyone provides a surety for the purpose of appearance in court for those persons who could not conduct a lawsuit, the provision will be in vain.
§2.8.2.2Praetor ait: 'Si quis parentem, patronum patronam, liberos aut parentes patroni 'patronae, liberosue suos eumue quem in potestate habebit, uel uxorem, uel nurum in iudicium uocabit: qualiscumque fideiussor iudicio sistendi causa accipiatur. §2.8.2.3Quod ait praetor 'liberosue suos', accipiemus et ex feminino sexu descendentes liberos.
The praetor says: 'If anyone summons to court a parent, a patron, a patroness, the children or parents of a patron or patroness, or his own children, or one whom he has in his power, or a wife, or a daughter-in-law: let any kind of surety whatsoever be accepted for the purpose of appearance in court.' As to the praetor's words 'or his own children', we shall include also children descended from the female sex.
parentique dabimus hoc beneficium non solum sui iurís, sed etiam si in potestate sit alicuius: hoc enim Pomponius scribit.
And we shall grant this benefit to a parent not only if he is independent, but also if he is in the power of someone else; for Pomponius writes this.
et filius fideiussor pro patre fieri potest, etiam si in alterius potestate sit.
And a son can become a surety for his father, even if he is in another's power.
nurum etiam pronurum et deinceps accipere debemus.
We ought to understand by daughter-in-law also a grandson's wife, and so on.
§2.8.2.4Quod ait praetor 'qualiscumque fideiussor accipiatur': hoc quantum ad facultates, id est etiam non locuples.
As to the praetor's words 'let any kind of surety be accepted': this is in respect of his means, that is, even one who is not solvent.
§2.8.2.5In fideiussorem, qui aliquem iudicio sisti promiserit, tanti quanti ea res erit actionem dat praetor.
Against a surety who has promised that someone will appear in court, the praetor grants an action for as much as the matter is worth.
quod utrum ueritatem contineat an uero quantitatem, uideamus.
Let us see whether this means the actual value or rather the nominal amount.
et melius est ut in ueram quantitatem fideiussor teneatur, nisi pro certa quantitate accessit.
And it is better that the surety be held liable for the true amount, unless he has intervened for a specific amount.