De feriis et dilationibus et diversis temporibus
(Concerning Festivals, Delays, and Different Seasons.)
1 Ulpianus libro quarto de omnibus tribunalibus. Ne quis messium vindemiarumque tempore adversarium cogat ad iudicium venire, oratione divi Marci exprimitur, quia occupati circa rem rusticam in forum conpellendi non sunt. 1Sed si praetor aut per ignorantiam vel socordiam evocare eos perseveraverit hique sponte venerint: si quidem sententiam dixerit praesentibus illis et sponte litigantibus, sententia valebit, tametsi non recte fecerit qui eos evocaverit: sin vero, cum abesse perseveraverint, sententiam protulerit etiam absentibus illis, consequens erit dicere sententiam nullius esse momenti (neque enim praetoris factum iuri derogare oportet): et citra appellationem igitur sententia infirmabitur. 2Sed excipiuntur certae causae, ex quibus cogi poterimus et per id temporis, cum messes vindemiaeque sunt, ad praetorem venire: scilicet si res tempore peritura sit, hoc est si dilatio actionem sit peremptura. sane quotiens res urguet, cogendi quidem sumus ad praetorem venire, verum ad hoc tantum cogi aequum est ut lis contestetur, et ita ipsis verbis orationis exprimitur: denique alterutro recusante post litem contestatam litigare dilationem oratio concessit.
1 Ulpianus, On all Tribunals, Book IV. It is stated in an Address of the Divine Marcus that no one can compel another to go to trial in the seasons of harvest and vintage; because being occupied in agricultural pursuits, he should not be compelled to appear in court. 1If, however, the Prætor, either through ignorance or neglect, should continue to summon the parties, and they should voluntarily appear, and he should render judgment in the presence of the litigants, who are here of their own accord, the judgment will be valid, even though he who summoned them acted improperly; but if he should render judgment in their absence, and while they continued to remain away, it follows that it must be held that his judgment is of no effect; for the act of the Prætor can not abrogate the law. The judgment therefore becomes void without appeal. 2There are, however, certain cases which must be excepted, and in which we may be compelled to appear before the Prætor during the seasons of harvest and vintage, namely, where the property in question will be lost by lapse of time; that is to say, where delay will deprive the party of his right of action. And, in fact, when the matter is urgent, we can be forced to appear before the Prætor, but this only can be done in order that issue may be joined; and it is so stated in the words of the aforesaid Address, for, after issue has been joined, if either of the parties refuses to proceed, the Address grants him delay.
2 Idem libro quinto ad edictum. Eadem oratione divus Marcus in senatu recitata effecit de aliis speciebus praetorem adiri etiam diebus feriaticis: ut puta ut tutores aut curatores dentur: ut offici admoneantur cessantes: excusationes allegentur: alimenta constituantur: aetates probentur: ventris nomine in possessionem mittatur, vel rei servandae causa, vel legatorum fideive commissorum, vel damni infecti: item de testamentis exhibendis: ut curator detur bonorum eius, cui an heres exstaturus sit incertum est: aut de alendis liberis parentibus patronis: aut de adeunda suspecta hereditate: aut ut aspectu atrox iniuria aestimetur: vel fideicommissaria libertas praestanda.
2 The Same, On the Edict, Book V. The Divine Marcus in the same Address delivered before the Senate, states that there are other cases in which application may be made to the Prætor on holidays, as, for instance, for the appointment of guardians and curators; to admonish persons as to their duties; to hear excuses; to arrange for support; to prove age; to make provision for the possession for unborn children; for the preservation of property for the benefit of either legatees or the beneficiaries of trusts; or where security should be given against unlawful damage; or for the production of wills; or that a curator may be appointed for the property of one who is uncertain whether he will have an heir or not; or for the support of children, parents, or patrons; or for an entry upon an estate which is suspected of being insolvent; or for the examination of an atrocious injury; or for the bestowal of freedom granted under a trust.
3 Idem libro secundo ad edictum. Solet etiam messis vindemiarumque tempore ius dici de rebus quae tempore vel morte periturae sunt. morte: veluti furti: damni iniuriae: iniuriarum atrocium: qui de incendio ruina naufragio rate nave expugnata rapuisse dicuntur: et si quae similes sunt. item si res tempore periturae sunt aut actionis dies exiturus est. 1Liberalia quoque iudicia omni tempore finiuntur. 2Item in eum, qui quid nundinarum nomine adversus communem utilitatem acceperit, omni tempore ius dicitur.
3 The Same, On the Edict, Book II. It is also customary to dispense justice during the season of harvest and vintage in cases where the property is liable to be lost either by time or by death, as for example, in actions for theft, ordinary injury, atrocious injury, and where parties are said to have been guilty of robbery during a fire, the destruction of a house, shipwreck, or the seizure of a boat or a ship and other cases of this kind. The same rule applies where the property may be lost through the lapse of time, or the term within which suit can be brought is about to expire. 1Proceedings relating to freedom can be concluded at all times. 2Justice can also be dispensed at all times in the case of a person who accepts something contrary to the public welfare under pretence of the right of holding a market.
4 Paulus libro primo ad edictum. Praesides provinciarum ex consuetudine cuiusque loci solent messis vindemiarumque causa tempus statuere.
4 Paulus, On the Edict, Book I. The Governors of provinces ordinarily fix the time of harvest and vintage according to the custom of the neighborhood.
5 Ulpianus libro sexagensimo secundo ad edictum. Pridie kalendas Ianuarias magistratus neque ius dicere, sed nec sui potestatem facere consuerunt.
5 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book LXXII. Magistrates are not accustomed to administer justice, or to exercise their authority at all on the day before the Kalends of January.
6 Idem libro septuagensimo septimo ad edictum. Si feriatis diebus fuerit iudicatum, lege cautum est, ne his diebus iudicium sit nisi ex voluntate partium, et quod aliter adversus ea iudicatum erit ne quis iudicatum facere neve solvere debeat, neve quis ad quem de ea re in ius aditum erit iudicatum facere cogat.
6 The Same, On the Edict, Book LXXVII. When judgment is rendered on a holiday, it is provided by law that it shall not be valid except by the consent of the parties; and where judgment is rendered otherwise, in opposition to this rule, no one is obliged to comply with it, or make any payment; nor can any official to whom application has been made under such circumstances compel the party to obey his judgment.
7 Idem libro primo de officio consulis. Oratione quidem divi Marci amplius quam semel non esse dandam instrumentorum dilationem expressum est: sed utilitatis litigantium gratia causa cognita et iterum dilatio tam ex eadem quam ex alia provincia secundum moderamen locorum impertiri solet, et maxime si aliquid inopinatum emergat. illud videndum, si defunctus acceperit aliquam dilationem propter instrumenta, an successori quoque eius dari debeat, an vero, quia iam data est, amplius dari non possit? et magis est, ut et hic causa cognita dari debeat.
7 The Same, On the Office of Consul, Book I. It is stated in the Address of the Divine Marcus that delay for the production of instruments cannot be granted more than once; but, for the benefit of litigants, where proper cause is shown, a delay can be obtained a second time in the same, or in a different province, according to the rules observed in different localities, and especially where anything unexpected arises. It must be ascertained if the deceased had obtained any delay for the production of documents, and whether this should also be granted to his successor; or, indeed, as it has been granted once, whether it cannot be granted a second time? The better opinion is that it ought to be granted where proper cause is shown.
8 Paulus libro tertio decimo ad Sabinum. More Romano dies a media nocte incipit et sequentis noctis media parte finitur. itaque quidquid in his viginti quattuor horis, id est duabus dimidiatis noctibus et luce media, actum est, perinde est, quasi quavis hora lucis actum esset.
8 Paulus, On Sabinus, Book XIII. In accordance with the Roman custom, the day begins at midnight, and ends in the middle of the following night; therefore, whatever is done during these twenty-four hours (that is to say during the two halves of the night and the intervening day) is held to have been done during any hour of daylight.
9 Ulpianus libro septimo de officio proconsulis. Divus Traianus Minicio Natali rescripsit ferias a forensibus tantum negotiis dare vacationem, ea autem, quae ad disciplinam militarem pertinent, etiam feriatis diebus peragenda: inter quae custodiarum quoque cognitionem esse.
9 Ulpianus, On the Office of Proconsul, Book VII. The Divine Trajan stated in a Rescript to Minicius Natalus that holidays only cause suspension of judicial business, and that those matters which relate to military discipline can also be transacted on holidays. This also includes the examination of persons who are in prison.
10 Paulus libro quinto sententiarum. In pecuniariis causis omnibus dilatio singulis causis plus semel tribui non potest: in capitalibus autem reo tres dilationes, accusatori duae dari possunt: sed utrumque causa cognita.
10 Paulus, Sentences, Book V. In pecuniary actions, delay cannot be granted more than once in each case, but in capital cases three continuances may be granted to the defendant, and two to the accuser; but in both instances proper cause must be shown.