[ULPIANUS libro primo ad Sabinum. ] §28.1.20.prQui testamento heres instituitur, in eodem testamento testis esse non potest.
[ULPIANUS, in the first book on Sabinus.] He who is appointed heir in a testament cannot be a witness in the same testament.
quod in legatario et in eo qui tutor scriptus est contra habetur: hi enim testes possunt adhiberi, si aliud eos nihil impediat, ut puta si inpubes, si in potestate sit testatoris.
The contrary is held in the case of a legatee and of him who is designated as tutor; for these can be employed as witnesses, if nothing else prevents them, as for instance, if they are under age, or in the power of the testator.
§28.1.20.1Potestatis autem uerbum non solum ad liberos qui sunt in potestate referendum est, uerum etiam ad eum quem redemit ab hostibus, quamuis placeat hunc seruum non esse, sed uinculo quodam retineri, donec pretium soluat.
The word "power," moreover, must be referred not only to children who are in power, but also to him whom one has ransomed from enemies, although the opinion is accepted that this person is not a slave, but is held by a certain bond until he pays the ransom price.
§28.1.20.2Per contrarium quaeri potest, an pater eius, qui de castrensi peculio potest testari, adhiberi ab eo ad testamentum testis possit.
On the contrary, it may be asked whether the father of one who can make a testament concerning castrense peculium can be employed by him as a witness to the testament.
et Marcellus libro decimo digestorum scribit posse: et frater ergo poterit.
And Marcellus writes in the tenth book of the Digests that he can; and therefore a brother also will be able to.
§28.1.20.3Quae autem in testamento diximus super prohibendis testimoniis eorum qui in potestate sunt, in omnibus testimoniis accipias, ubi aliquid negotii geritur, per quod adquiratur.
What we have said in the case of a testament concerning the prohibition of the testimony of those who are in power, you should understand as applying in all testimonies where any business is transacted through which something is acquired.
§28.1.20.4Ne furiosus quidem testis adhiberi potest, cum compos mentis non sit: sed si habet intermissionem, eo tempore adhiberi potest: testamentum quoque, quod ante furorem consummauit, ualebit et bonorum possessio ex eo testamento competit.
Not even an insane person can be employed as a witness, since he is not of sound mind; but if he has a lucid interval, he can be employed at that time; a testament also which he completed before his insanity will be valid, and the possession of goods is competent under that testament.
§28.1.20.5Eum qui lege repetundarum damnatus est ad testamentum adhiberi posse existimo, quoniam in iudicium testis esse uetatur.
I think that he who has been condemned under the law on extortion can be employed as a witness to a testament, because he is forbidden to be a witness in a trial.
§28.1.20.6Mulier testimonium dicere in testamento quidem non poterit, alias autem posse testem esse mulierem argumento est lex Iulia de adulteriis, quae adulterii damnatam testem produci uel dicere testimonium uetat.
A woman indeed will not be able to give testimony in a testament, but that a woman can be a witness in other cases is proved by the lex Julia on adulteries, which forbids a woman condemned for adultery to be produced as a witness or to give testimony.
§28.1.20.7Seruus quoque merito ad sollemnia adhiberi non potest, cum iuris ciuilis communionem non habeat in totum, ne praetoris quidem edicti.
A slave also, with good reason, cannot be employed for the solemnities, since he does not have any participation in the civil law at all, not even in that of the praetor's edict.
§28.1.20.8Et ueteres putauerunt eos, qui propter sollemnia testamenti adhibentur, durare debere, donec suprema contestatio peragatur.
And the ancient jurists thought that those who are employed for the solemnities of a testament ought to remain so until the final contestation is completed.
§28.1.20.9Non tamen intellegentiam sermonis exigimus: hoc enim diuus Marcus Didio Iuliano in teste, qui Latine non nouerat, rescripsit: nam si uel sensu percipiat quis, cui rei adhibitus sit, sufficere.
We do not, however, require an understanding of the language; for the Divine Marcus rescripted this to Didius Julianus concerning a witness who did not know Latin: for if anyone should perceive even by sense for what purpose he has been employed, it is sufficient.
§28.1.20.10Sed si detenti sint inuiti ibi testes, putant non ualere testamentum.
But if the witnesses were detained there against their will, they think that the testament is not valid.