P

In Roman law. Conquered towns, governed by an officer called a "prefect," who was chosen in some instances by the people, in others by the praetors. ButL Hor. Jur. 29. … [Read more...] about PRAEFECTURAE

Latin: A passing over or omission. Used in the Roman law to describe the act of a testator in excluding a given heir from the inheritance by silently passing him by, that is, neither instituting nor formally disinheriting him. See Mackeld. Rom. Law, … [Read more...] about PRAETERITIO

Latin: In Roman law. The name of an officer who, from the time of Augustus, had the superintendence of the city and its police, with jurisdiction extending one hundred miles from the city, and power to decide both civil and criminal cases. As he was considered the direct representative of the emperor, much that pre-: viously belonged to the praetor urbanus fell gradually into … [Read more...] about PRAEFECTUS URBI

Lat. A pretext; a pretense or color. Prcetcxtu cujus, by pretense, or under pretext whereof. 1 Ld. Raym. 412. … [Read more...] about PRAETEXTUS

Roman civ. law. The chief officer of the night watch. His jurisdiction extended to certain offences affecting the public peace; and even to larcenies. But he could inflict only slight punishments. … [Read more...] about PRAEFECTUS VIGILUM