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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §41.2.25.pr-41.2.25.2

Retention by Agents and Loss of Possession Held by Intent

Passage 6723 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

The fragment explains the loss of possession by misplacement, the retention of possession through intermediaries, and the criteria for retaining or losing possession held by intention alone.

[POMPONIUS libro uicensimo tertio ad Quintum Mucium. ] §41.2.25.prSi id quod possidemus ita perdiderimus, ut ignoremus, ubi sit, desinimus possidere.
[POMPONIUS libro uicensimo tertio ad Quintum Mucium.] If we lose what we possess in such a way that we do not know where it is, we cease to possess it.
§41.2.25.1Et per colonos et inquilinos aut seruos nostros possidemus: et si moriantur aut furere incipiant aut alii locent, intellegimur nos retinere possessionem.
And we possess through our tenants, lodgers, or slaves; and even if they die, or become insane, or lease to another, we are understood to retain possession.
nec inter colonum et seruum nostrum, per quem possessionem retinemus, quicquam interest.
Nor is there any difference between a tenant and our slave through whom we retain possession.
§41.2.25.2Quod autem solo animo possidemus, quaeritur, utrumne usque eo possideamus, donec alius corpore ingressus sit, ut potior sit illius corporalis possessio, an uero (quod quasi magis probatur) usque eo possideamus, donec reuertentes nos aliquis repellat aut nos ita animo desinamus possidere, quod suspicemur repelli nos posse ab eo, qui ingressus sit in possessionem: et uidetur utilius esse.
But as to what we possess by intention alone, it is asked whether we possess it up to the point until another has physically entered so that his physical possession prevails, or indeed (which is, as it were, more approved) we possess it up to the point until someone repels us as we return, or we so in mind cease to possess because we suspect that we can be repelled by him who has entered into possession; and this seems to be more practical.

Notes

  1. 41.2.25.2solo animo — Refers to holding possession by intention alone without physical holding, typically seen in the maintenance of possession of seasonal pastures.
  2. 41.2.25.2utrumne... an uero — Introduces a double indirect question ('whether... or indeed...') dependent on quaeritur ('it is asked').
  3. 41.2.25.2reuertentes nos — The present participle reuertentes (accusative plural masculine) modifies nos, serving as the direct object of repellat ('repels us as we return').
  4. 41.2.25.2quod suspicemur — quod introduces a subjunctive verb (suspicemur) to express a subjective reason ('because we suspect/fear').
  5. 41.2.25.2utilius — Comparative adjective in the neuter nominative singular, meaning 'more practical' or 'more expedient,' expressing a legal preference for the second view (introduced by an uero).

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §41.2.25.pr-41.2.25.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:41.2.25.pr-41.2.25.2

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