Humanitext Reader

Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §8.3.26.pr

Heir's Right to Choose Route for an Unspecified Servitude

Passage 1435 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

It is established that when a servitude of passage or aqueduct is bequeathed generally without a specified route, the heir has the right to choose the location, provided no disadvantage is caused to the legatee.

[PAULUS libro quadragensimo septimo ad edictum. ] §8.3.26.prSi uia iter actus aquae ductus legetur simpliciter per fundum, facultas est heredi, per quam partem fundi uelit, constituere seruitutem, si modo nulla captio legatario in seruitute fit.
[PAULUS, On the Edict, Book 47] If a right of way, footpath, driving path, or aqueduct is bequeathed simply through an estate, the heir has the power to establish the servitude through whichever part of the estate he wishes, provided only that no disadvantage is caused to the legatee in the servitude.

Notes

  1. 8.3.26.pruia iter actus aquae ductus legetur — Although there are multiple subjects (uia, iter, actus, aquae ductus), the verb legetur is in the singular (3rd person singular future or present subjunctive passive). This indicates that the rule applies to any of these servitudes being bequeathed individually, with the verb agreeing with the nearest subject or applying to each disjunctively.
  2. 8.3.26.prper quam partem fundi uelit — uelit is the 3rd person singular present subjunctive of volo, introducing an indirect question with the relative/interrogative adjective quam. This entire clause defines the substance of the option (facultas) given to the heir, namely "through which part of the estate he wishes" to establish the path.
  3. 8.3.26.prsi modo nulla captio legatario in seruitute fit — si modo introduces a restrictive condition ("provided only that"). The verb fit (3rd person singular present indicative of fio) is in the indicative, emphasizing the objective factual premise that no actual disadvantage must occur. legatario is a dative of interest ("for/to the legatee").

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §8.3.26.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:8.3.26.pr

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