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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §26.7.1.pr-26.7.1.4

Compulsory Administration and Procedure in Tutelage

Passage 3836 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

This passage discusses the compulsory administration of tutelage, the liability of tutors for delay in assuming office, and various procedural rules and options in litigation involving tutors and curators.

[ULPIANUS libro trigesimo quinto ad edictum. ] §26.7.1.prGerere atque administrare tutelam extra ordinem tutor cogi solet.
A tutor is customarily compelled in extraordinary proceedings to conduct and administer the tutelage.
§26.7.1.1Ex quo scit se tutorem datum si cesset tutor, suo periculo cessat: id enim a diuo Marco constitutum est, ut, qui scit se tutorem datum nec excusationem si quam habet allegat intra tempora praestituta, suo periculo cesset.
From the moment he knows that he has been appointed tutor, if the tutor is inactive, he is inactive at his own risk; for it was established by the divine Marcus that he who knows he has been appointed tutor and does not allege any excuse he may have within the prescribed time limits, is inactive at his own risk.
§26.7.1.2Sufficit tutoribus ad plenam defensionem, siue ipsi iudicium suscipiant siue pupillus ipsis auctoribus, nec cogendi sunt tutores cauere, ut defensores solent.
It is sufficient for tutors, for a complete defense, whether they themselves undertake the trial or the pupil does so with their authorization; nor are tutors to be compelled to give security, as defenders are accustomed to do.
licentia igitur erit, utrum malint ipsi suscipere iudicium an pupillum exhibere, ut ipsis auctoribus iudicium suscipiatur: ita tamen, ut pro his, qui fari non possunt uel absint, ipsi tutores iudicium suscipiant, pro his autem, qui supra septimum annum aetatis sunt et praesto fuerint, auctoritatem praestent.
Therefore, they shall have the freedom to choose whether they prefer to undertake the trial themselves or to produce the pupil so that the trial may be undertaken with their authorization; provided, however, that they themselves undertake the trial for those who cannot speak or are absent, but for those who are over seven years of age and are present, they shall provide their authorization.
§26.7.1.3In causis autem adultorum licentia erit agentibus uel ipsum adultum praesentem in iudicium uocare, ut consensu curatoris conueniatur, uel contra curatorem agere, ut ipse litem suscipiat.
In the cases of minors, however, those who bring actions shall have the freedom either to summon the minor themselves, if present, to court so that he may be sued with the consent of the curator, or to bring action against the curator so that he himself may undertake the litigation.
in absentibus autem adultis omnimodo contra curatorem agendum.
But if the minors are absent, action must by all means be brought against the curator.
§26.7.1.4Non denegari autem neque tutoribus neque curatoribus etiam debitores pupillorum uel adultorum ex persona sua prospectu officii in iudicium uocare uel eis hoc facientibus suum accommodare consensum.
Furthermore, it is not denied either to tutors or to curators, out of regard for their duty, to summon the debtors of their pupils or minors to court in their own person, or to grant their consent to them when they do so.

Notes

  1. 26.7.1.1Ex quo — The noun tempus (time) is omitted as the antecedent of the relative pronoun quo, meaning 'from the time when' (ex quo tempore).
  2. 26.7.1.2ipsis auctoribus — An ablative absolute construction consisting of the pronoun ipse and the noun auctor ('they being the authorizers'), meaning 'with their authorization.'
  3. 26.7.1.2fari non possunt — Literally 'those who cannot speak,' which refers to infantes (infants, typically children under seven years of age who legally cannot express their own will) in Roman law.
  4. 26.7.1.3agentibus — The dative plural present participle of ago (to bring an action), functioning as a dative of possession/benefit with the impersonal licentia erit, meaning 'for those who bring actions' (i.e., plaintiffs).
  5. 26.7.1.4Non denegari — The present passive infinitive of denego (to deny). The entire sentence functions as an indirect statement (accusative and infinitive construction) depending on an implied main verb of opinion or rule (such as 'it is held' or 'it is laid down').

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §26.7.1.pr-26.7.1.4. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:26.7.1.pr-26.7.1.4

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