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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §33.2.1.pr

Invalid Bequest of Usufruct over Servitudes and Alternative Claims

Passage 4953 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

This text explains the principle that a servitude of a servitude cannot exist, meaning that the use or usufruct of land servitudes cannot be bequeathed; however, it outlines how a similar benefit can be practically secured via an action for an uncertain amount against the heir.

[PAULUS libro tertio ad Sabinum. ] §33.2.1.prNec usus nec usus fructus itineris actus uiae aquaeductus legari potest, quia seruitus seruitutis esse non potest: nec erit utile ex senatus consulto, quo cauetur, ut omnium quae in bonis sint usus fructus legari possit, quia id neque ex bonis neque extra bona sit.
[PAULUS, On Sabinus, book III.] Neither the use nor the usufruct of a right of way, passage, road, or aqueduct can be bequeathed, because there cannot be a servitude of a servitude; nor will it be valid under the senatusconsultum by which it is provided that the usufruct of all things which are in one's patrimony can be bequeathed, because this is neither in patrimony nor outside of patrimony.
sed incerti actio erit cum herede, ut legatario, quamdiu uixerit, eundi agendi ducendi facultatem praestet aut ea seruitus constituatur sub hac cautione, ut, si decesserit legatarius uel capite deminutus ex magna causa fuerit, restituatur.
But there will be an action for an uncertain amount against the heir, so that he may provide the legatee, as long as he lives, with the facility of walking, driving, or drawing water, or that the servitude be established under this security, that if the legatee dies or undergoes a change of status for a major cause, it shall be restored.

Notes

  1. §33.2.1.prseruitus seruitutis esse non potest — The fundamental Roman law principle 'a servitude of a servitude cannot exist'. Personal servitudes like use and usufruct can only be established over corporeal property (land or things), not over incorporeal rights such as praedial servitudes (rights of way or aqueducts).
  2. §33.2.1.princerti actio — An action for an uncertain amount (or performance). In the context of testamentary actions (actio ex testamento), this was used when the object of the legacy was not a specific thing, but rather an indefinite performance, such as providing a continuous facility or service.
  3. §33.2.1.prcapite deminutus ex magna causa — A change of status (capitis deminutio) for a major cause. In Roman law, this refers to major (maxima) or minor/intermediate (media) loss of status, involving the loss of liberty or citizenship, as opposed to the least change (minima), which merely affected family status.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §33.2.1.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:33.2.1.pr

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