[ULPIANUS libro quinquagensimo nono ad edictum. ] §42.4.5.praec autem locum habent, quotiens pupillus non defendatur a quocumque, siue a tutore uel curatore, siue habeat tutorem pupillus siue non habeat: ceterum si existat aliquis, qui defendere sit paratus, cessabit rei seruandae causa possessio.
But these rules apply whenever a ward is not defended by anyone, whether by a tutor or a curator, and whether the ward has a tutor or does not have one; but if anyone appears who is ready to defend him, the possession for the purpose of preserving the property will cease.
§42.4.5.1Non defendi pupillum constare debet liquereque praetori, ut sic permittat bonorum possessionem.
It must be established and clear to the praetor that the ward is not defended, so that he may thus permit the possession of the goods.
hoc autem constare debet sic: euocandi sunt ad praetorem tutores pupilli, ut defendant: si autem non habet tutores, requirendi cognati uel adfines et si qui alii forte sunt, quos uerisimile est defensionem pupilli pupillae non omissuros uel propter necessitudinem uel propter caritatem uel qua alia ratione: liberti etiam si qui sunt idonei, euocandi exquirendaque defensio.
And this must be established as follows: the tutors of the ward must be summoned before the praetor, so that they may defend; but if he has no tutors, his cognates or affines must be sought, and any others there may happen to be, who it is likely will not neglect the defence of the male or female ward, whether on account of kinship, or affection, or for any other reason; freedmen also, if there are any suitable ones, must be summoned, and defence must be sought.
si aut negent se defendere aut non negent, sed taceant, tunc praetor possessionem dabit, tamdiu scilicet, quoad non defendatur: si defendi coeperit pupillus uel pupilla, desinet possideri.
If they either refuse to defend, or do not refuse but remain silent, then the praetor will grant possession, namely, for so long as the ward is not defended; if the male or female ward begins to be defended, the possession will cease.
idem est et in furioso.
The same applies also to an insane person.
§42.4.5.2Ait Praetor: 'si is pupillus in suam tutelam uenerit caue pupilla uiripotens fuerit et recte defendetur: eos, qui bona possident, de possessione decedere iubebo'. §42.4.5.3Recte defendi quid sit, uideamus, utrum tantum copiam sui facere et ad suscipiendum iudicium paratum esse an uero et satisdare omnimodo.
The Praetor says: 'If that male ward comes under his own authority, or if a female ward becomes marriageable, and is properly defended: I will order those who possess the goods to depart from possession.' Let us see what it is to be 'properly defended', whether it is merely to make oneself available and to be ready to undertake the trial, or indeed to provide security in all cases.
et quidem non solum ipsis se defendere uolentibus hoc edictum scriptum est, sed in rem: et 'recte defendetur' hoc est uel a se uel ab alio quocumque.
And indeed, this edict was written not only for those who wish to defend themselves, but in rem: and 'properly defended' means either by oneself or by anyone else.
sed si alius defendat, erit necessaria satisdatio, si ipse, non puto necessariam satisdationem.
But if another defends, security will be necessary; if he himself defends, I do not think security is necessary.
ergo oblata defensione deici poterit interdicto reddito.
Therefore, if defence is offered, [the possessor] can be ejected by the granting of an interdict.