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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §5.1.54.pr

Lesser Cases Not Prejudicing Greater Trials

Passage 935 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Paulus states the procedural principle that a lesser case should not prejudice a greater trial, as the greater question naturally draws the lesser case into its scope.

[PAULUS libro primo sententiarum. ] §5.1.54.prPer minorem causam maiori cognitioni praeiudicium fieri non oportet: maior enim quaestio minorem causam ad se trahit.
[PAULUS book one of Opinions.] It is not fitting for a prejudice to be created for a greater trial through a lesser case; for the greater question draws the lesser case to itself.

Notes

  1. §5.1.54.prmaiori cognitioni praeiudicium fieri — The dative 'maiori cognitioni' depends on 'praeiudicium' (prejudicial judgment or disadvantage). 'non oportet' is an impersonal verb taking the accusative with infinitive clause 'praeiudicium fieri' (for a prejudice to be created). This reflects the legal principle that a decision in a lesser, ancillary, or partial case should not prejudge or disadvantage a larger, more comprehensive main trial ('maior cognitio').

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §5.1.54.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:5.1.54.pr

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