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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §20.4.14.pr

Priority of Pledges Created by Non-Owners

Passage 2977 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

This section explains that if a non-owner pledges the same thing to two persons at different times, the one prior in time has the better right, whereas if pledges are received from different non-owners, the possessor has the better position.

[IDEM libro quarto decimo ad Plautium. ] §20.4.14.prSi non dominus duobus eandem rem diuersis temporibus pignerauerit, prior potior est, quamuis, si a diuersis non dominis pignus accipiamus, possessor melior sit.
[THE SAME in his fourteenth book on Plautius.] If a non-owner should pledge the same thing to two persons at different times, the prior one has the better right, even though, if we receive a pledge from different non-owners, the possessor would be in a better position.

Notes

  1. §20.4.14.prprior — The subject of the main clause, referring to the creditor to whom the pledge was first granted in time. It reflects the maxim 'prior tempore potior iure' (priority in time gives priority in right).
  2. §20.4.14.prquamuis ... melior sit — Inside the concessive clause 'quamuis ... sit' taking the subjunctive 'sit', the conditional clause 'si ... accipiamus' (subjunctive present) is inserted. This structural arrangement contrasts two legal scenarios: double pledging by the same non-owner (where priority in time rules) versus pledging by different non-owners (where the possessor's position is stronger: 'melior condicio possessoris').

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §20.4.14.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:20.4.14.pr

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