[PAULUS libro trigesimo septimo ad edictum. ] §25.2.21.prSi mulier, cum de uiri uita desperasset, subreptis quibusdam rebus diuortisset, si conualuerit uir, utilis rerum amotarum actio ei danda est.
[PAULUS, on the Edict, book 37.] If a wife, despairing of her husband's life, divorced him after surreptitiously removing certain things, and the husband recovered, an analogous action for property removed must be granted to him.
§25.2.21.1Si seruus mulieris iussu dominae diuortii causa res amouerit, Pedius putat nec furtum eum facere, quoniam nihil lucri sui causa contrectet nec uideri furtum facienti opem ferre, cum mulier furtum non faciat, quamuis seruus in facinoribus domino dicto audiens esse non debeat: sed rerum amotarum actio erit.
If a slave of a wife, by the command of his mistress, removed property for the sake of divorce, Pedius thinks that he does not commit theft (since he handles nothing for the sake of his own gain), nor is he seen to give assistance to one committing theft (since the wife herself does not commit theft), although a slave ought not to be obedient to his master in criminal acts; but there will be an action for property removed.
§25.2.21.2At si in dotem seruus datus furtum uiro fecerit, si quidem mulier talem esse eum scierit, totum damnum uiro sarcietur: quod si ignorauerit, tunc non ultra condemnationem noxae multanda erit.
But if a slave given as dowry committed theft against the husband, if indeed the wife knew that he was of such a character, the whole damage shall be made good to the husband; but if she was ignorant of it, then she shall not be penalized beyond the liability for noxal surrender.
§25.2.21.3Rerum amotarum actio damnum repraesentat etiam si postea dotis exactio competat.
The action for property removed provides recovery of the damage, even if an action for the recovery of dowry is subsequently available.
§25.2.21.4Commodi quoque, si quod amotis rebus amiserit uir, ratio habenda est.
Account must also be taken of any benefit which the husband may have lost because of the removal of the property.
§25.2.21.5Haec actio licet ex delicto nascatur, tamen rei persecutionem continet et ideo non anno finitur, sicut et condictio furtiua: praeterea et heredibus competit.
Although this action arises from a delict, it nevertheless involves the recovery of property, and therefore it is not limited to a year, just like the action for the recovery of stolen property; furthermore, it is also available to heirs.
§25.2.21.6Nec uiro nec mulieri prodest in hoc iudicio, si facere non possunt: pendet enim id ex furto.
In this action, it does not benefit either the husband or the wife if they lack the ability to pay; for it depends on an act of theft.