Legal Definitions - aes alienum

Aes alienum is a historical term originating from Roman law. It refers to money that is owed to another individual or entity; essentially, it describes a financial obligation or a debt that one party has incurred and is bound to repay.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Personal Loan Between Friends

  Imagine that Alex needs to replace a broken appliance and borrows $300 from his friend, Ben, promising to pay him back in two weeks. The $300 that Alex now owes to Ben is an instance of aes alienum. It represents money that rightfully belongs to Ben but is currently in Alex's possession, creating a clear debt obligation for Alex to repay.

• Example 2: Business Credit Account

  A local restaurant, "The Gourmet Bistro," regularly orders fresh produce from a supplier and pays for it on a 30-day credit term. This means the restaurant receives the produce now but pays the invoice later. The outstanding amount that "The Gourmet Bistro" owes to its produce supplier before the payment due date is aes alienum. It is money belonging to the supplier that the restaurant has utilized, establishing a short-term debt that must be settled.

• Example 3: Mortgage for a Home

  When Maria purchases a house, she takes out a mortgage loan from a bank to finance the purchase. The significant sum of money that Maria owes to the bank for her home is a prime example of aes alienum. This is capital that belongs to the lending institution, which Maria has borrowed and is contractually obligated to repay over many years, typically with interest.