De cessione bonorum
(Concerning assignment for the benefit of creditors.)
1 Ulpianus libro septimo decimo ad edictum. Creditori, qui ob restitutionem aedificiorum crediderit, privilegium exigendi datur.
1 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book XVII. The privilege of collecting money loaned for the repair of buildings is granted to a creditor.
2 Idem libro vicensimo primo ad edictum. In personalibus actionibus qui postea quidem contraxerunt, verum ut pecunia eorum ad priores creditores perveniat, in locum eorum succedunt.
2 The Same, On the Edict, Book XXI. In personal actions, those Who have subsequently made contracts, and whose money has been paid to former creditors, are subrogated to them.
3 Idem libro quinquagensimo octavo ad edictum. Is, qui bonis cessit, ante rerum venditionem utique bonis suis non caret: quare si paratus fuerit se defendere, bona eius non veneunt.
3 The Same, On the Edict, Book LVIII. He who has made an assignment of his property is not deprived of it before the sale; and therefore, if he is ready to set up a defence, his property will not be sold.
4 Idem libro quinquagensimo nono ad edictum. Is qui bonis cessit si quid postea adquisierit, in quantum facere potest convenitur. 1Sabinus et Cassius putabant eum qui bonis cessit ne quidem ab aliis, quibus debet, posse inquietari.
5 Paulus libro quinquagensimo sexto ad edictum. Quem paenitet bonis cessisse, potest defendendo se consequi, ne bona eius veneant.
5 Paulus, On the Edict, Book L. He who repents of having made an assignment can, by setting up a defence, prevent it from being sold.
6 Ulpianus libro sexagensimo quarto ad edictum. Qui bonis suis cessit, si modicum aliquid post bona sua vendita adquisivit, iterum bona eius non veneunt. unde ergo modum hunc aestimabimus, utrum ex quantitate eius quod adquisitum est an vero ex qualitate? et putem ex quantitate id aestimandum esse eius quod quaesiit, dummodo illud sciamus, si quid misericordiae causa ei fuerit relictum, puta menstruum vel annuum alimentorum nomine, non oportere propter hoc bona eius iterato venundari: nec enim fraudandus est alimentis cottidianis. idem et si usus fructus ei sit concessus vel legatus, ex quo tantum percipitur, quantum ei alimentorum nomine satis est.
6 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book LXIV. If a man who has made an assignment acquires anything else of trifling value, after the sale has taken place, his property cannot be sold a second time. But, in what way can we make an estimate of this, in order to determine its value? Must it be determined by the quantity of the property which has been acquired, or by its quality? I think that the question should be decided with reference to the quantity, provided we know that something has been left with him through compassion, as, for instance, a sum to be paid monthly or annually for his support; and in such a case, it is not necessary for his property to be sold a second time, for he should not be deprived of his daily subsistence. The same rule will apply if the usufruct of property from which he only receives a sum sufficient for his support has been either granted or bequeathed to him.
7 Modestinus libro secundo pandectarum. Si debitoris bona venierint, postulantibus creditoribus permittitur rursum eiusdem debitoris bona distrahi, donec suum consequantur, si tales tamen facultates adquisitae sunt debitori, quibus praetor moveri possit.
7 Modestinus, Pandects, Book II. When the property of a debtor is sold; upon the demand of creditors, a second sale of his property is allowed to be made until his entire indebtedness is discharged, provided the debtor has made acquisitions sufficient to justify the Prætor in taking action.
8 Ulpianus libro vicensimo sexto ad edictum. Qui cedit bonis, antequam debitum adgnoscat, condemnetur vel in ius confiteatur, audiri non debet.
8 Ulpianus, Book XXVI. He who makes an assignment before he acknowledges his indebtedness, and before judgment is rendered against him, or he confesses in court, should not be heard.
9 Marcianus libro quinto decimo institutionum. Bonis cedi non tantum in iure, sed etiam extra ius potest. et sufficit et per nuntium vel per epistulam id declarari.
9 Marcianus, Institutes, Book V. An assignment can not only be made in court, but out of it. It is sufficient for it to be established by means of a messenger or a letter.