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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §44.2.23.pr

Prior Action for Interest and Res Judicata for Principal

Passage 7236 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Ulpian explains that bringing an action only for interest does not hinder a subsequent claim for the principal through the exception of res iudicata, and that under a good faith contract, interest continues to accrue as long as the contract exists.

[ULPIANUS libro tertio disputationum. ] §44.2.23.prSi in iudicio actum sit usuraeque solae petitae sint, non est uerendum, ne noceat rei iudicatae exceptio circa sortis petitionem: quia enim non competit, nec opposita nocet.
[ULPIAN, on Disputations, book three.] If an action has been brought in trial and interest alone has been claimed, there is no need to fear that the exception of res iudicata will cause prejudice regarding the claim for the principal; for since it does not apply, it does not cause prejudice even if raised.
eadem erunt et si quis ex bonae fidei iudicio uelit usuras tantum persequi: nam nihilo minus futuri temporis cedunt usurae: quamdiu enim manet contractus bonae fidei, current usurae.
The same will hold true even if someone wishes to claim only interest on the basis of a good faith action; for nevertheless, interest for future time accrues, because as long as the good faith contract remains in force, interest will run.

Notes

  1. §44.2.23.prne noceat — Subjunctive clause introduced by ne after an expression of fear (non est uerendum), expressing the apprehension that something will happen. It must not be misunderstood as a negative clause.
  2. §44.2.23.prnon competit — The subject is rei iudicatae exceptio (the exception of res iudicata). In legal terminology, it means that the exception is "not applicable" or "does not lie."
  3. §44.2.23.propposita — Perfect passive participle in the nominative feminine singular, modifying exceptio and functioning here in a concessive sense ("even if raised" or "even if opposed").

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §44.2.23.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:44.2.23.pr

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