Legal Definitions - praepositus negotiis

The term praepositus negotiis is Latin for "one put in charge of another's business." Historically, it referred to an individual formally appointed to manage the affairs, property, or commercial enterprises of another person.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• Imagine a wealthy Roman senator who frequently traveled for political duties. He might appoint a trusted freedman or a capable administrator to act as his praepositus negotiis, giving them authority to oversee his vast agricultural estates, manage his household finances, and conduct his commercial transactions while he was away. This individual would be responsible for ensuring the senator's business interests continued to thrive in his absence.

  This illustrates praepositus negotiis because the appointed person is formally entrusted with the comprehensive management of the senator's various business and financial affairs.

• Consider a medieval noblewoman who inherited extensive lands and a significant household after her husband's death. If she lacked the experience or inclination to manage these complex affairs directly, she might designate a skilled steward or bailiff to serve as her praepositus negotiis. This person would be responsible for collecting rents, managing agricultural production, overseeing serfs and tenants, and representing her interests in local disputes, all on her behalf.

  Here, the steward acts as a praepositus negotiis by taking on the direct responsibility for the administration and operation of the noblewoman's inherited estate and its associated businesses.

• During the age of exploration, a prominent merchant in a bustling port city might embark on a long and perilous trading voyage. Before departing, he would appoint a reliable agent or factor to act as his praepositus negotiis, empowering them to continue buying and selling goods, managing his warehouses, handling correspondence with other traders, and maintaining his financial records. This ensured the merchant's business operations remained active and profitable during his extended absence.

  This example demonstrates praepositus negotiis as the agent is formally delegated the authority to conduct and manage the merchant's entire commercial enterprise in his stead.