De compensationibus
(Concerning set-off.)
1 Modestinus libro sexto pandectarum. Compensatio est debiti et crediti inter se contributio.
1 Modestinus, Pandects, Book VI. Set-off is a contribution made between a debt and a credit.
2 Iulianus libro nonagensimo digestorum. Unusquisque creditorem suum eundemque debitorem petentem summovet, si paratus est compensare.
2 Julianus, Digest, Book XC. Any one can bar his creditor, who is also his debtor, when he brings an action against him if he is prepared to set off his claim.
3 Pomponius libro vicensimo quinto ad Sabinum. Ideo compensatio necessaria est, quia interest nostra potius non solvere quam solutum repetere.
3 Pomponius, On Sabinus, Book XXV. Set-off is therefore necessary, because it is more to our interest not to pay, than to bring an action to recover what has been paid.
4 Paulus libro tertio ad Sabinum. Verum est, quod et Neratio placebat et Pomponius ait, ipso iure eo minus fideiussorem ex omni contractu debere, quod ex compensatione reus retinere potest: sicut enim, cum totum peto a reo, male peto, ita et fideiussor non tenetur ipso iure in maiorem quantitatem quam reus condemnari potest.
4 Paulus, On Sabinus, Book III. The opinion of Neratius, which is also held by Pomponius, is correct, namely: that what the principal debtor can retain as set-off the surety is released from liability for, by operation of law, in every contract; just as if when I bring suit for the entire amount against a debtor I do not proceed properly, and thus the security is not liable in strict law for a larger amount than the principal debtor can be compelled to pay as a judgment.
5 Gaius libro nono ad edictum provinciale. Si quid a fideiussore petetur, aequissimum est eligere fideiussorem, quod ipsi an quod reo debetur, compensare malit: sed et si utrumque velit compensare, audiendus est.
5 Gaius, On the Provincial Edict, Book IX. Where a claim is demanded from a surety, it is perfectly just for the latter to choose whether he prefers to set off what is due to himself or what is due to the principal debtor. He should also be heard if he wishes to make a set-off against the claims of both,
6 Ulpianus libro trigensimo ad Sabinum. Etiam quod natura debetur, venit in compensationem.
6 Ulpianus, On Sabinus, Book XXX. Whatever is due in consequence of a natural obligation can also become the subject of set-off.
7 Idem libro vicensimo octavo ad edictum. Quod in diem debetur, non compensabitur, antequam dies venit, quamquam dari oporteat. 1Si rationem compensationis iudex non habuerit, salva manet petitio: nec enim rei iudicatae exceptio obici potest. aliud dicam, si reprobavit pensationem quasi non existente debito: tunc enim rei iudicatae mihi nocebit exceptio.
7 The Same, On the Edict, Book XXVIII. What is due at a certain time cannot be set off before the time arrives, even though it may be necessary for it to be paid. 1Where the judge does not consider the set-off, the right of action is saved to the creditor, for an exception based on the ground of a decision rendered cannot be interposed. I hold that the case is different if the judge has refused to consider the set-off on the ground that no debt existed; for then an exception based on a decision rendered will prejudice my case.
8 Gaius libro nono ad edictum provinciale. In compensationem etiam id deducitur, quo nomine cum actore lis contestata est, ne diligentior quisque deterioris condicionis habeatur, si compensatio ei denegetur.
8 Gaius, On the Provincial Edict, Book IX. That also is included in a set-off for the recovery of which suit has already been brought against the plaintiff, in order to prevent the condition of the more diligent party from becoming worse if the set-off should be refused him.
9 Paulus libro trigensimo secundo ad edictum. Si cum filio familias aut servo contracta sit societas et agat dominus vel pater, solidum per compensationem servamus, quamvis, si ageremus, dumtaxat de peculio praestaretur. 1Sed si cum filio familias agatur, an quae patri debeantur filius compensare possit, quaeritur: et magis est admittendum, quia unus contractus est, sed cum condicione, ut caveat patrem suum ratum habiturum, id est non exacturum quod is compensaverit.
9 Paulus, On the Edict, Book XXXII. Where a partnership has been contracted with a son under paternal control or a slave, and the father or the master brings suit, we include the whole amount in a set-off; although if we should bring suit, only that which has reference to the peculium must be made good. 1But where suit is brought against a son under paternal control, the question arises whether the son can, by way of set-off, claim, what is owing to the father? It is better to hold that he can, because there is only one contract, but this should be done under the condition that he gives security that his father will ratify his act, that is to say, that he will not, in the future demand what his son has set off.
10 Ulpianus libro sexagensimo tertio ad edictum. Si ambo socii parem neglegentiam societati adhibuimus, dicendum est desinere nos invicem esse obligatos ipso iure compensatione neglegentiae facta. simili modo probatur, si alter ex re communi aliquid perceperit, alter tantam neglegentiam exhibuerit, quae eadem quantitate aestimatur, compensationem factam videri et ipso iure invicem liberationem. 1Si quis igitur compensare potens solverit, condicere poterit quasi indebito soluto. 2Quotiens ex maleficio oritur actio, ut puta ex causa furtiva ceterorumque maleficiorum, si de ea pecuniarie agitur, compensatio locum habet: idem est et si condicatur ex causa furtiva. sed et qui noxali iudicio convenitur, compensationem opponere potest. 3In stipulationibus quoque quae instar actionum habent, id est praetoriis, compensatio locum habet, et secundum Iulianum tam in ipsa stipulatione quam in ex stipulatu actione poterit obici compensatio.
10 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book LXIII. Where two of us, being partners, have been guilty of the same negligence in matters affecting the partnership, it must be said that we cease to be bound to one another, set-off for the negligence in this instance, taking place by operation of law. In like manner, it is held that, where one partner has appropriated something which belongs to the common property and the other has been guilty of such negligence that it may be estimated at the same amount, set-off is held to have taken place, as well as the release of liability of both parties to one another by operation of law. 1Therefore, where anyone, being able to make a set-off pays, he can bring suit to recover the money as having been paid when it was not due. 2Whenever a right of action arises from a breach of the law, as, for instance, from theft and other offences, if only a suit involving money is brought, a set-off can be admitted. The same rule applies where an action is brought for the recovery of stolen property. But if a party is sued in a noxal action, he can claim a set-off. 3Set-off can also take place in stipulations which resemble certain forms of action, that is to say, prætorian ones; and, according to Julianus, set-off can be claimed as well with reference to a stipulation itself, as in the action based upon it.
11 Idem libro trigensimo secundo ad edictum. Cum alter alteri pecuniam sine usuris, alter usurariam debet, constitutum est a divo Severo concurrentis apud utrumque quantitatis usuras non esse praestandas.
11 The Same, On the Edict, Book XXXII. When one party owes another a sum of money without interest, and the latter owes the other a sum bearing interest; it was decreed by the Divine Severus that interest was not due on the sums owed to one another by the two parties respectively.
12 Idem libro sexagensimo quarto ad edictum. Idem iuris est non solum in privatis, verum etiam in causa fisci constitutum. sed et si invicem sit usuraria pecunia, diversae tamen sint usurae, compensatio nihilo minus locum habet eius quod invicem debetur.
12 The Same, On the Edict, Book LXIV. This law is applicable not only to the affairs of private individuals, but also those connected with the Treasury. Where, however, the money borrowed by the parties from one another bears interest, but the interest is at different rates, a set-off can, nevertheless, take place with reference to the sums due to the parties respectively.
13 Idem libro sexagensimo sexto ad edictum. Quod Labeo ait, non est sine ratione, ut, si cui petitioni specialiter destinata est compensatio, in ceteris non obiciatur.
13 The Same, On the Edict, Book LXVI. Labeo says, and not without reason, that where a set-off is expressly intended to be made against a certain claim, opposition should not be made to its application to other claims.
14 Iavolenus libro quinto decimo ex Cassio. Quaecumque per exceptionem peremi possunt, in compensationem non veniunt.
14 Javolenus, On Cassius, Book XV. Any claim that can be destroyed by an exception cannot be included in a set-off.
15 Idem libro secundo epistularum. Pecuniam certo loco Titio dari stipulatus sum: is petit a me quam ei debeo pecuniam: quaero, an hoc quoque pensandum sit, quanti mea interfuit certo loco dari. respondit: si Titius petit, eam quoque pecuniam, quam certo loco promisit, in compensationem deduci oportet, sed cum sua causa, id est ut ratio habeatur, quanti Titii interfuerit eo loco quo convenerit pecuniam dari.
15 The Same, Epistles, Book II. I stipulated for a certain sum of money to be paid by Titius at a certain place, he demands of me a sum of money which I owe him; I ask whether the interest I had in having the amount paid to me in a certain place, as aforesaid, should be included in the set-off? The answer was, that if Titius makes the demand, the sum also which he promised to pay in a certain place must be included in the set-off; but this must be done with reference to his case also, that is to say, the interest Titius had in having the sum of money owing to him paid in a place agreed upon must be taken into consideration.
16 Papinianus libro tertio quaestionum. Cum militi castrensium bonorum alius, ceterorum alius heres exstitit et debitor alteri heredum obligatus vult compensare quod ab alio debetur, non audietur. 1Cum intra diem ad iudicati exsecutionem datum iudicatus Titio agit cum eodem Titio, qui et ipse pridem illi iudicatus est, compensatio admittetur: aliud est enim diem obligationis non venisse, aliud humanitatis gratia tempus indulgeri solutionis.
16 Papinianus, Questions, Book III. Where a soldier has two heirs, one of whom inherits his peculium castrense, and the other the remainder of his property, a party who is indebted to one of the heirs, who wishes to set off what is due to him from the other, shall not be heard. 1Where a party against whom judgment has been rendered in favor of Titius, brings an action against the same Titius within the time granted for the execution of the judgment, who, himself, had previously had judgment rendered against him in favor of the other party, set-off will be admitted; for it is one thing for the day of the obligation not to arrive, and another to grant time for payment through motives of humanity.
17 Idem libro primo responsorum. Ideo condemnatus, quod artiorem annonam aedilitatis tempore praebuit, frumentariae pecuniae debitor non videbitur, et ideo compensationem habebit.
17 The Same, Opinions, Book I. An ædile, who has had judgment rendered against him because he distributed a smaller supply of provisions during his term of office than he should have done, cannot be held to be a debtor for money spent for grain; he will therefore be entitled to set-off.
18 Idem libro tertio responsorum. In rem suam procurator datus post litis contestationem, si vice mutua conveniatur, aequitate compensationis utetur. 1Creditor compensare non cogitur quod alii quam debitori suo debet, quamvis creditor eius pro eo, qui convenitur ob debitum proprium, velit compensare.
18 The Same, Opinions, Book III. Where an agent is appointed to conduct his own case in court, and, after issue has been joined, suit is brought against him for a loan, he will justly be entitled to a set-off. 1A creditor is not obliged to set off what he owes to anyone else than his debtor, even though the creditor of him in whose behalf the party is sued for his own debt may desire to make use of a set-off.
19 Idem libro undecimo responsorum. Debitor pecuniam publicam servo publico citra voluntatem eorum solvit, quibus debitum recte solvi potuit: obligatio pristina manebit, sed dabitur ei compensatio peculii fini, quod servus publicus habebit.
19 The Same, Opinions, Book XI. Where a debtor who has paid a tax to a public slave, but without the consent of those to whom he should properly have paid the debt, the former obligation will continue to be in force; but a set-off will be granted to the extent of the peculium which the public slave has in his possession.
20 Idem libro tertio decimo responsorum. Ob negotium copiarum expeditionis tempore mandatum curatorem condemnatum pecuniam iure compensationis retinere non placuit, quoniam ea non compensantur.
20 The Same, Opinions, Book XIII. Where a person having charge of furnishing supplies to troops in an expedition, has judgment rendered against him on this account, it is held that he cannot retain the money by the right of set-off, as it is not subject to it.
21 Paulus libro primo quaestionum. Posteaquam placuit inter omnes id quod invicem debetur ipso iure compensari, si procurator absentis conveniatur, non debebit de rato cavere, quia nihil compensat, sed ab initio minus ab eo petitur.
21 Paulus, Questions, Book I. Since it has generally been held that what persons owe one another is set off by mere operation of law, if the agent of a person who is absent is sued, he need not give security that his act will be ratified, because nothing can be set off, but a smaller sum can be demanded from him in the beginning.
22 Scaevola libro secundo quaestionum. Si debeas decem aut hominem, utrum adversarius volet, ita compensatio huius debiti admittitur, si adversarius palam dixisset, utrum voluisset.
22 Scævola, Questions, Book II. If you owe anyone ten thousand sesterces or a slave, whichever he may choose, set-off of the debt will be admitted, if he states openly which he prefers.
23 Paulus libro nono responsorum. Id quod pupillorum nomine debetur si tutor petat, non posse compensationem obici eius pecuniae, quam ipse tutor suo nomine adversario debet.
23 Paulus, Opinions, Book IX. Where a guardian makes a demand in the name of his wards for what is due to them, the debtor cannot ask that his debt be set-off against one that the guardian himself owes him.
24 Idem libro tertio decretorum. Iussit imperator audiri adprobantem sibi a fisco deberi, quod ipse convenitur.
24 The Same, Decrees, Book III. The Emperor ordered that a party should be heard who desired to prove that an amount was owing to him from the Treasury equal to that for which he himself was sued.