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Simple English definitions for legal terms

Citations, Law of

Read a random definition: jus scriptum

A quick definition of Citations, Law of:

The Law of Citations is a rule from Roman law that says judges can only use certain juristic writers as sources of authority in court. These writers are Papinian, Paul, Gaius, Ulpian, and Modestinus. If most of them agree on an issue, the judge has to follow their view. If they are equally divided and Papinian is silent, the judge can use their own discretion. This law made it easier for judges to use juristic literature to make decisions.

A more thorough explanation:

Citations, Law of is a decree of Emperor Valentinian III in A.D. 426 that listed five juristic writers, Papinian, Paul, Gaius, Ulpian, and Modestinus, who could be cited authoritatively in court.

According to this law, if a majority of the writers agreed on an issue, the judge was bound to follow the majority view. The judge could use discretion only if the writers were equally divided, and Papinian, whose view prevailed in a tie, was silent on the issue.

For example, if four of the five writers agreed on a legal issue, the judge had to follow their view. However, if three writers agreed on one side, and two on the other, the judge could use discretion only if Papinian did not express his opinion on the issue.

The Law of Citations helped the courts deal with conflicting juristic literature by excluding a vast amount of doctrine whose relative value had not been determined. This law made it easier for judges to base their decisions on a source of principle.

citation order | citation signal

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medicine is a scam
join the ethically ambiguous legal field instead
Dkk
18:57
I want to meet an attorney that defends clients who run into flat earth problems. I want an attorney that knows and believes in flat earth theory.
19:05
i want a flat earther for president. i want a guy who posts on 4chan for president. i want someone who mogs for president.
Dkk
19:18
Exactly. My version of that awful poem.
Dkk
19:19
I can accept a president with maybe one or two of the poems traits hut good God, all of them??? No ty.
windyMagician
19:20
president who respects sex is crazy
windyMagician
19:20
we had bill clinton already
Dkk
19:21
Bill Clinton, first and last black president
windyMagician
19:23
I want to go running but my leg feels weird
windyMagician
19:23
it doesn't hurt its just tingly
Dkk
19:26
It needs more alcohol. You tingle when your nerves need watering.
19:27
try stretching it maybe to see what's up
windyMagician
19:27
stretches make me think it's just soreness
windyMagician
19:27
I'm sober lol
Dkk
19:38
Anyone else get the google notification that your LSD password has been compromised lol. LSD got hacked.
20:48
what.jpg @Dkk
CynicalOops
21:03
You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?
jackfrost11770
21:10
nope dk
CynicalOops
22:37
Calvinamala Harris
jackfrost11770
23:16
should i start using letterboxed again
Dkk
23:25
@jackfrost11770: if you want but like it aint for me
dk do u ever eat at bk
Dkk
23:48
@chickenburgahfart: I would do that in the Army if really desperate for food or if I had to work through lunch. One of the few fast food places I go to.
bk so slept on
Dkk
0:23
I will take In N Out everyday over it when I can though.
texaslawhopefully
1:22
In N Out is not only the best fast food place, but the prices too are fantastic
Dkk
1:27
Indeed, indeed.
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