Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: RE, VERBIS, LITERIS, CONSENSU
Definition: This is a Latin phrase that refers to the four ways that people in ancient Rome would make agreements. They would either physically hand something over, use words to agree, write it down, or give their consent. These were the four classes of Roman contract.
RE, VERBIS, LITERIS, CONSENSU
Re, verbis, literis, consensu is a Latin phrase used in Roman law to refer to the four classes of Roman contract. It means "by the performance (namely, handing over), by words, by writing, by consent."
These examples illustrate the four ways in which a contract could be formed in Roman law. A contract could be formed by handing over something of value (re), by agreeing to terms verbally (verbis), by signing a written contract (literis), or by simply giving consent without any physical action or documentation (consensu).