Civil law. The system of law peculiar to one state or people. Inst 1, 2, 1. Particularly, in Roman law, the civil law of the Roman people, as distinguished from the jus gentium. The term is also applied to the body of law called, emphatically, the "civil law." The jus civile and the jus gentium are distinguished in this way. All people ruled by statutes and customs use a law … [Read more...]

Lat. In Roman law. Right; justice; law; the whole body of law; also a right. The term is used in two meanings: 1. "Jus" means "law," considered in the abstract; that is, as distinguished from any specific enactment, the science or department of learning, or quasi personified factor in human history or conduct or social development which we call, in a general sense, "the law." … [Read more...]

Among the Romans the collection of laws which are to be observed among all the members of a nation were so called. It is opposed to jus gentium, which is the law which regulates the affairs of nations among themselves. … [Read more...]

The right of renunciation; the right of an heir under the Roman law to renounce or decline the inheritance as for example where his acceptance in consequence of the necessity of paying the debts would make it a burden to him. … [Read more...]

The right of citizenship; the freedom of the city of Rome. It differs from jus quiritinm, which comprehended all the privileges of a free native of Rome. The difference is much the same as between "denization" and "naturalization" with ns. Wharton. … [Read more...]