[GAIUS libro tertio ad edictum prouinciale. ] §3.4.1.prNeque societas neque collegium neque huiusmodi corpus passim omnibus habere conceditur: nam et legibus et senatus consultis et principalibus constitutionibus ea res coercetur.
[GAIUS, in the third book on the Provincial Edict.] Neither a partnership, nor a guild, nor any corporate body of this kind is permitted to be established randomly by everyone; for this matter is restricted by laws, decrees of the senate, and imperial constitutions.
paucis admodum in causis concessa sunt huiusmodi corpora: ut ecce uectigalium publicorum sociis permissum est corpus habere uel aurifodinarum uel argentifodinarum et salinarum.
In only very few cases are corporate bodies of this kind permitted; as, for example, the partners in public revenues are permitted to have a corporate body, or those of gold mines, silver mines, and salt works.
item collegia Romae certa sunt, quorum corpus senatus consultis atque constitutionibus principalibus confirmatum est, ueluti pistorum et quorundam aliorum, et nauiculariorum, qui et in prouinciis sunt.
Likewise, there are certain guilds in Rome whose corporate status has been confirmed by decrees of the senate and imperial constitutions, such as those of bakers and certain others, and of shipowners, who exist in the provinces as well.
§3.4.1.1Quibus autem permissum est corpus habere collegii societatis siue cuiusque alterius eorum nomine, proprium est ad exemplum rei publicae habere res communes, arcam communem et actorem siue syndicum, per quem tamquam in re publica, quod communiter agi fierique oporteat, agatur fiat.
But for those to whom it is permitted to have a corporate body under the name of a guild, a partnership, or any other such name, it is characteristic, on the model of a public body, to have common property, a common treasury, and an agent or syndic, through whom, as in a public body, whatever needs to be transacted or done commonly may be transacted and done.
§3.4.1.2Quod si nemo eos defendat, quod eorum commune erit possideri et, si admoniti non excitentur ad sui defensionem, uenire se iussurum proconsul ait.
If, however, no one defends them, the proconsul says that he will order what is held in common by them to be taken into possession, and, if they are warned and still not aroused to their own defense, to be sold.
et quidem non esse actorem uel syndicum tunc quoque intellegimus, cum is absit aut ualetudine impedietur aut inhabilis sit ad agendum.
And indeed, we understand that there is no agent or syndic on those occasions also, when he is absent, or is prevented by ill health, or is unqualified to act.
§3.4.1.3Et si extraneus defendere uelit uniuersitatem, permittit proconsul, sicut in priuatorum defensionibus obseruatur, quia eo modo melior condicio uniuersitatis fit.
And if an outsider wishes to defend the corporation, the proconsul permits it, just as is observed in the defense of private persons, because in this way the condition of the corporation is made better.