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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §39.6.39.pr

Manumission of a Gifted Slave and Restitution of Value

Passage 6289 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

A recipient of a slave donated mortis causa who subsequently manumits the slave is liable for the slave's value via condictio if the donor recovers from illness.

[PAULUS libro septimo decimo ad Plautium. ] §39.6.39.prSi is, cui mortis causa seruus donatus est, eum manumisit, tenetur condictione in pretium serui, quoniam scit posse sibi condici, si conualuerit donator.
[PAULUS, On Plautius, Book 17.] If a person to whom a slave has been donated mortis causa has manumitted him, he is liable to an action for recovery (condictio) for the price of the slave, because he knows that a recovery can be sought against him if the donor should recover.

Notes

  1. §39.6.39.prposse sibi condici — The passive infinitive condici (from condicere, to demand return of property) is used impersonally with the dative sibi (against himself). Together with posse, it forms an impersonal infinitive construction meaning 'that it can be recovered from him' or 'that an action for recovery can be brought against him'.
  2. §39.6.39.prsi conualuerit donator — The verb conualuerit is the future perfect indicative or perfect subjunctive of conualescere (to recover). It indicates a future condition prior to the action of the main clause, reflecting the rule that a gift mortis causa is revoked if the donor recovers from illness.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §39.6.39.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:39.6.39.pr

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