Humanitext Reader

Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §44.7.31.pr

Invalidity of Contracts Subject to an Impossible Condition

Passage 7316 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

The text explains that contracts, not only stipulations but also consensual contracts like purchases and leases, are equally void when subject to an impossible condition, since the mutual will of the parties would not intend any transaction under a condition they know to be impossible.

[MAECIANUS libro secundo fideicommissorum. ] §44.7.31.prNon solum stipulationes impossibili condicioni adplicatae nullius momenti sunt, sed etiam ceteri quoque contractus, ueluti emptiones locationes, impossibili condicione interposita aeque nullius momenti sunt, quia in ea re, quae ex duorum pluriumue consensu agitur, omnium uoluntas spectetur, quorum procul dubio in huiusmodi actu talis cogitatio est, ut nihil agi existiment adposita ea condicione, quam sciant esse impossibilem.
[MAECIANUS, from his second book on Trust-bequests.] Not only are stipulations attached to an impossible condition of no force, but also other contracts, such as purchases and leases, are equally of no force when an impossible condition is inserted; because in a matter which is transacted by the consent of two or more persons, the will of all must be regarded, and their intention in an act of this kind is beyond doubt such that they consider nothing to be done if that condition is attached which they know to be impossible.

Notes

  1. §44.7.31.prnullius momenti — Predicative use of the genitive of quality or value, functioning as a predicate with 'sunt', meaning 'of no moment/force' (i.e., void).
  2. §44.7.31.pradposita ea condicione, quam sciant esse impossibilem — The former is an ablative absolute expressing condition ('if that condition is attached'). In the subsequent relative clause, the subjunctive 'sciant' is used either as a subjunctive of characteristic (defining the condition subjectively) or due to subjunctive attraction within the consecutive 'ut' clause.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §44.7.31.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:44.7.31.pr

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.