[ULPIANUS libro sexagesimo ad edictum. ] §28.8.7.prAit praetor: 'Si pupilli pupillae nomine postulabitur tempus ad deliberandum, an expediat eum hereditatem retinere, et hoc datum sit: si iusta causa esse uidebitur, bona interea deminui nisi si causa cognita boni uiri arbitratu uetabo'. §28.8.7.1Merito praetor impedit interim deminutionem, quamdiu nomine pupilli petitur tempus ad deliberandum.
[ULPIANUS, in the sixtieth book on the Edict.] The praetor says: 'If on behalf of a male or female ward a period for deliberating whether it is expedient for him to retain the inheritance is requested, and this has been granted: if there appears to be a just cause, I will forbid the property to be diminished in the meantime, except by the decision of an honorable man after the case has been investigated.' Justly does the praetor prevent diminution in the meantime, as long as a period for deliberating is sought on behalf of the ward.
§28.8.7.2Quid sit autem 'deminui uetabo' uideamus.
But let us see what 'I will forbid to be diminished' means.
his uerbis praetor non tantum alienationem impedit, uerum etiam actiones exerceri non patitur: est enim absurdum ei, cui alienatio interdicitur, permitti actiones exercere, et ita Labeo scribit.
By these words, the praetor not only prevents alienation, but also does not allow actions to be brought; for it is absurd that a person to whom alienation is interdicted should be permitted to bring actions, and so Labeo writes.
§28.8.7.3In causae autem cognitione hoc uertetur, an iusta causa sit, ut deminuere praetor permittat.
In the investigation of the case, however, this will be the point: whether there is a just cause for the praetor to permit diminution.
ergo et funeris causa deminui permittet, item eorum quae sine piaculo non possunt praeteriri.
Therefore, he will permit diminution also for the sake of a funeral, and likewise for those things which cannot be omitted without a religious offense.
uescendi gratia aeque deminui permittet.
He will equally permit diminution for the sake of sustenance.
sed et ubi urguet, ex aliis quoque causis permittere eum oportet, ut aedificia sarciantur, ne agri inculti sint, si qua pecunia sub poena debetur ut restituatur, ne pignora distrahantur.
But also where there is urgent need, he ought to permit it for other reasons as well, so that buildings may be repaired, lest fields remain uncultivated, if any money is owed under a penalty that it may be repaid, lest pledges be sold.
ex aliis quoque iustis causis praetor aditus deminutionem permittet: neque enim sine permissu eius debet deminutio fieri.
Upon other just causes as well, the praetor, when petitioned, will permit diminution; for indeed, diminution ought not to be made without his permission.