[ULPIANUS libro quadragensimo primo ad edictum. ] §37.10.3.prCarbonianum edictum aptatum est ad contra tabulas bonorum possessionem et intestati, cum et in secundum tabulas in quibusdam casibus possit uideri necessarium edictum, ueluti si pater familias ita instituerit: 'postumus heres esto' uel 'postuma heres esto' et negetur esse uerum, quod in testamento scriptum est.
[ULPIANUS libro quadragensimo primo ad edictum.] The Carbonian edict is adapted to possession of goods contrary to the tablets and of an intestate, although the edict can also seem necessary in certain cases in accordance with the tablets, for example, if a head of a household should have appointed thus: 'let my posthumous son be heir' or 'let my posthumous daughter be heir' and it is denied that what is written in the testament is true.
§37.10.3.1Et cum de fideicommissis uel de legatis quaeritur, differri potest causa in tempus pubertatis: id enim diuus Pius Claudio Hadriano rescripsit.
And when there is an inquiry concerning trust-bequests or legacies, the case can be deferred until the time of puberty: for this is what the Divine Pius replied by rescript to Claudius Hadrianus.
§37.10.3.2Quamuis scripto heredi non promitti bonorum possessionem ex edicto Carboniano certum sit, tamen quaestionem status in tempus pubertatis differri procul dubio est.
Although it is certain that possession of goods is not promised to an appointed heir from the Carbonian edict, nevertheless there is no doubt that the question of status is deferred until the time of puberty.
ergo si quidem de parentis bonis simul et de statu controuersia fiat, hoc edictum locum habebit: sin uero tantum status, differetur quaestio in tempus pubertatis, sed non ex Carboniano, sed ex constitutionibus.
Therefore, if indeed a controversy arises concerning the parent's goods and at the same time concerning status, this edict will have application; but if only concerning status, the question will be deferred until the time of puberty, not, however, from the Carbonian edict, but from the constitutions.
§37.10.3.3Puberi quamuis minori uiginti quinque annis Carbonianum non succurrit.
To a person who has reached puberty, although under twenty-five years of age, the Carbonian edict does not give relief.
sed et si, cum esset pubes, quasi impubes obrepserit bonorumque possessionem accepit, dicen. dum erit nihil eum egisse: nam et si impubes esset mox pubes factus, finiretur bonorum possessionis emolumentum.
But even if, when he was of puberty, he crept in as if he were below puberty and received possession of goods, it must be said that he did nothing of effect; for even if he were below puberty and soon became of puberty, the benefit of the possession of goods would be ended.
§37.10.3.4Causae cognitio in eo uertitur, ut, si manifesta calumnia appareret eorum, qui infantibus bonorum possessionem peterent, non daretur bonorum possessio.
The examination of the case turns on this, that if a manifest false accusation should appear on the part of those who seek possession of goods on behalf of infants, possession of goods would not be given.
summatim ergo, cum petitur ex Carboniano bonorum possessio, debet praetor cognoscere: et si quidem absolutam causam inuenerit euidenterque probatur filium non esse, negare debet ei bonorum possessionem Carbonianam: si uero ambiguam causam, hoc est uel modicum pro puero facientem, ut non uideatur cuidenter filius non esse, dabit ei Carbonianam bonorum possessionem.
Summarily, therefore, when possession of goods is sought from the Carbonian edict, the praetor ought to examine the case; and if indeed he finds a clear case and it is evidently proved that he is not the son, he ought to deny him the Carbonian possession of goods; but if he finds an ambiguous case, that is, one supporting the boy even in a small degree, so that he does not seem evidently not to be the son, he will give him the Carbonian possession of goods.
§37.10.3.5Duae autem sunt causae cognitiones, una dandae Carbonianae possessionis, quae habet commodum illud, ut, perinde atque si nullam controuersiam pateretur impubes, possessionem accipiat, alia causae cognitio illa, utrum differri debeat in tempus pubertatis cognitio an repraesentari.
Moreover, there are two examinations of cases: one of granting Carbonian possession, which has that benefit that, just as if the person below puberty suffered no controversy, he receives possession; the other is that examination of the case, whether the examination ought to be deferred until the time of puberty or held immediately.
hoc autem diligentissime praetori examinandum est, an expediat pupillo repraesentari cognitionem an potius differri in tempus pubertatis, et maxime inquirere hoc a cognatis matre tutoribusque pupilli debet.
This, moreover, must be investigated most diligently by the praetor, whether it is expedient for the ward that the examination be held immediately or rather deferred until the time of puberty, and he ought especially to inquire about this from the relatives, the mother, and the tutors of the ward.
finge esse testes quosdam, qui dilata controuersia aut mutabunt consilium aut decedent aut propter temporis interuallum non eandem fidem habebunt: uel finge esse anum obstetricem uel ancillas, quae ueritatem pro partu possunt insinuare, uel instrumenta satis idonea ad uictoriam uel quaedam alia argumenta, ut magis damnum patiatur pupillus, quod differtur cognitio, quam compendium, quod non repraesentatur: finge pupillum satisdare non posse et admissos in possessionem, qui de hereditate controuersiam faciunt, multa posse subtrahere nouare moliri: aut stulti aut iniqui praetoris erit rem in tempus pubertatis differre cum summo eius incommodo, cui consultum uelit.
Imagine that there are certain witnesses who, if the controversy is deferred, will either change their mind, or die, or because of the interval of time will not command the same credit; or imagine that there is an old midwife or female slaves who can disclose the truth concerning the birth, or documents sufficiently suitable for victory, or certain other proofs, so that the ward would suffer more damage because the examination is deferred than benefit because it is not held immediately; imagine that the ward cannot give security, and those who make a controversy over the inheritance, being admitted into possession, can withdraw, alter, or plot many things: it will be the part of a foolish or unjust praetor to defer the matter until the time of puberty with the greatest disadvantage to the person whom he wishes to be cared for.
diuus etiam Hadrianus ita rescripsit: 'Quod in tempus pubertatis res differri solet, pupillorum causa fit, ne de statu periclitentur, antequam se tueri possint.
The Divine Hadrian also replied by rescript thus: 'That a matter is accustomed to be deferred until the time of puberty is done for the sake of wards, lest they be endangered concerning their status before they can defend themselves.
ceterum si idoncos habeant, a quibus defendantur, et tam expeditam causam, ut ipsorum intersit mature de ea iudicari, et tutores eorum iudicio experiri uolunt: non debet aduersus pupillos obseruari, quod pro ipsis excogitatum est, et pendere status eorum, cum iam possit indubitatus esse'. §37.10.3.6Si mater impuberis subiecti partus rea postulata causam optinuerit, poterit adhuc superesse status quaestio, ut puta si dicatur aut non esse ex ipso defuncto conceptus aut ex ipso quidem, sed non ex matrimonio editus.
But if they have suitable persons by whom they may be defended, and a case so clear that it is to their interest that it be judged early, and their tutors wish to try the matter in court, it ought not to be observed against wards what was devised for their own benefit, and their status should not hang in suspense when it can already be indubitable.' If the mother of a person below puberty, who is alleged to be a substituted child, having been accused as defendant, has prevailed in her case, the question of status can still remain, as for example if it should be said either that he was not conceived from the deceased himself, or indeed from him, but not born from marriage.