← Latin for Lawyers, Judges and Notaries Public
24.1 Iūdex judge aut or arbiter arbitrator contrōversiam controversy dīrimit settles
24.2 Testāmentum testament aut or cōdicillus codicil voluntātem will dēfūnctī of the deceased continet contains
24.3 Reus defendant aut or culpābilis guilty aut or innocēns innocent est is
24.4 Iūs law aut or aequitās equity causam case regit governs
24.5 Advocātus advocate prō for actōre plaintiff aut or prō for reō defendant ōrat pleads
24.6 Aut either pactum agreement servātum kept aut or lītis of lawsuit causā cause dabitur will be given
24.7 Notārius notary aut or scrība scribe ācta acts cōnficit draws up
24.8 Aut either lēx law permittit permits aut or prohibet prohibits rem thing
24.9 Sententia sentence aut or absolvit absolves aut or condemnat condemns reum defendant
24.10 Iūrāmentum oath aut or firmum firm aut or irritum void habētur is held
24.11 Aut either dōlus deceit aut or culpa fault damnum damage fēcit caused
24.12 Contrāctus contract aut or vālidus valid aut or nūllus null dēclārātur is declared
24.13 Aut either testis witness vēritātem truth dīcit speaks aut or mentitur lies
24.14 Hērēs heir aut or acceptat accepts aut or repudiat rejects hērēditātem inheritance
24.15 Aut either iūstitia justice aut or iniūria injustice in in mundō world praestat prevails
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24.1 Iūdex aut arbiter contrōversiam dīrimit. A judge or an arbitrator settles the dispute.
24.2 Testāmentum aut cōdicillus voluntātem dēfūnctī continet. A testament or a codicil contains the will of the deceased.
24.3 Reus aut culpābilis aut innocēns est. The defendant is either guilty or innocent.
24.4 Iūs aut aequitās causam regit. Either law or equity governs the case.
24.5 Advocātus prō actōre aut prō reō ōrat. The advocate pleads either for the plaintiff or for the defendant.
24.6 Aut pactum servātum aut lītis causā dabitur. Either the agreement will be kept or cause for litigation will arise.
24.7 Notārius aut scrība ācta cōnficit. A notary or a scribe draws up the documents.
24.8 Aut lēx permittit aut prohibet rem. The law either permits or prohibits the matter.
24.9 Sententia aut absolvit aut condemnat reum. The sentence either acquits or condemns the defendant.
24.10 Iūrāmentum aut firmum aut irritum habētur. An oath is considered either binding or void.
24.11 Aut dōlus aut culpa damnum fēcit. Either fraud or negligence caused the damage.
24.12 Contrāctus aut vālidus aut nūllus dēclārātur. A contract is declared either valid or null.
24.13 Aut testis vēritātem dīcit aut mentitur. A witness either tells the truth or lies.
24.14 Hērēs aut acceptat aut repudiat hērēditātem. An heir either accepts or rejects the inheritance.
24.15 Aut iūstitia aut iniūria in mundō praestat. Either justice or injustice prevails in the world.
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24.1 Iūdex aut arbiter contrōversiam dīrimit.
24.2 Testāmentum aut cōdicillus voluntātem dēfūnctī continet.
24.3 Reus aut culpābilis aut innocēns est.
24.4 Iūs aut aequitās causam regit.
24.5 Advocātus prō actōre aut prō reō ōrat.
24.6 Aut pactum servātum aut lītis causā dabitur.
24.7 Notārius aut scrība ācta cōnficit.
24.8 Aut lēx permittit aut prohibet rem.
24.9 Sententia aut absolvit aut condemnat reum.
24.10 Iūrāmentum aut firmum aut irritum habētur.
24.11 Aut dōlus aut culpa damnum fēcit.
24.12 Contrāctus aut vālidus aut nūllus dēclārātur.
24.13 Aut testis vēritātem dīcit aut mentitur.
24.14 Hērēs aut acceptat aut repudiat hērēditātem.
24.15 Aut iūstitia aut iniūria in mundō praestat.
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The conjunction "aut" (or) is essential in legal Latin for expressing alternatives and disjunctions. Understanding its usage is crucial for lawyers, judges, and notaries public.
"Aut" connects two alternatives: -
Example: "Iūdex aut arbiter" (judge or arbitrator) -
Analysis: Simple connection of two nouns -
Legal usage: Presents alternative authorities
When emphasizing exclusivity, use "aut...aut" (either...or): -
Example: "Aut pactum servātum aut lītis causā dabitur" -
Analysis: -
First aut = "either" -
Second aut = "or" -
Creates exclusive alternatives -
Legal significance: Only one option will occur
Latin can use multiple "aut" for more than two options: -
Example: "Reus aut culpābilis aut innocēns est" -
Analysis: Two "aut" connecting three elements -
Pattern: X aut Y aut Z
"Aut" placement affects emphasis:
a) Initial position (emphatic): -
"Aut lēx permittit aut prohibet" -
Emphasizes the exclusivity of options
b) Medial position (neutral): -
"Iūdex aut arbiter contrōversiam dīrimit" -
Simple alternative without special emphasis
While both mean "or," they differ: -
"aut" = exclusive or (one or the other, not both) -
"vel" = inclusive or (one or the other, possibly both) -
Legal documents prefer "aut" for clarity
-
"aut...aut" in verdicts: guilty or innocent -
"aut" in contracts: option clauses -
"aut" in procedures: alternative remedies
"Aut" can connect: -
Nouns: "testāmentum aut cōdicillus" -
Verbs: "acceptat aut repudiat" -
Adjectives: "firmum aut irritum" -
Entire clauses: "aut testis vēritātem dīcit aut mentitur"
With negatives, "aut" becomes "nor": -
"nec...aut" = "neither...nor" -
Example: "Nec iūdex aut arbiter erat" (Neither judge nor arbitrator was present)
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For English-speaking legal professionals, understanding "aut" requires appreciating its role in Roman law and modern legal Latin:
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Romans valued precision in legal language -
"Aut" created clear alternatives in contracts and laws -
Essential for formulating legal choices and remedies
-
Still appears in legal maxims -
Used in formal legal documents -
Common in ecclesiastical law -
Found in notarial formulas
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English "or" is ambiguous (inclusive/exclusive) -
Latin "aut" specifically means exclusive "or" -
Legal English often uses "either...or" to match "aut...aut"
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Contract drafting: option clauses -
Judicial decisions: alternative holdings -
Notarial acts: choice of procedures -
Legislative drafting: alternative provisions
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"Aut dedere aut judicare" (Either extradite or prosecute) -
"Aut viam inveniam aut faciam" (I will either find a way or make one) -
Used in international law principles
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Notaries use "aut" in: -
Alternative attestation clauses -
Choice of law provisions -
Optional terms in documents
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Courts strictly construe "aut" as exclusive -
Prevents ambiguity in legal instruments -
Critical for determining parties' intentions
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From Cicero's "De Officiis" (On Duties) III.89:
Aut Either enim for nēmō no one vir man bonus good est is aut or, sī if quis anyone est is, nōn not haec these things faciet will do. Nam For quī who propter on account of suam his own causam cause migrāre to migrate aliīs to others nōlit would not wish, is he vir man bonus good nōn not est is; quī who autem however propter on account of suōrum of his own (people) cīvium citizens causam cause faciat would do, fortasse perhaps vir man bonus good habērī to be held possit could.
Aut enim nēmō vir bonus est aut, sī quis est, nōn haec faciet. Nam quī propter suam causam migrāre aliīs nōlit, is vir bonus nōn est; quī autem propter suōrum cīvium causam faciat, fortasse vir bonus habērī possit.
For either no one is a good man, or if anyone is, he will not do these things. For he who would not wish others to migrate for his own benefit is not a good man; but he who would do so for the sake of his fellow citizens could perhaps be considered a good man.
Aut enim nēmō vir bonus est aut, sī quis est, nōn haec faciet. Nam quī propter suam causam migrāre aliīs nōlit, is vir bonus nōn est; quī autem propter suōrum cīvium causam faciat, fortasse vir bonus habērī possit.
Cicero employs "aut" here to construct a philosophical dilemma about moral goodness: -
Disjunctive Structure: The double "aut...aut" creates a stark either/or proposition about the existence of good men and their actions. -
Legal-Philosophical Reasoning: Cicero uses the precise logic familiar to Roman advocates to explore ethical questions. -
Conditional Refinement: The "sī quis est" (if anyone is) clause adds nuance to the absolute disjunction. -
Moral Categories: The passage divides people into exclusive categories using "aut," reflecting Roman legal thinking applied to ethics. -
Rhetorical Effect: The initial dramatic disjunction ("either no one is good or...") captures attention before developing the argument. -
Connection to Legal Practice: This type of reasoning—using exclusive alternatives—was common in Roman court arguments and legal analysis.
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24.16 Duo two frātrēs brothers aut either amīcē amicably aut or hostīliter hostilely dē about hērēditāte inheritance contendēbant were contending
24.17 Testāmentum testament patris of father aut either vērum true aut or falsum false esse to be dīcēbātur was said
24.18 Prīmus first frāter brother aut either dolō by fraud aut or iūre by right possessiōnem possession tenēbat was holding
24.19 Secundus second autem however aut either vim force aut or lēgem law adhibēre to apply cōgitābat was considering
24.20 Iūdex judge aut either hodiē today aut or crās tomorrow audientiam hearing habēre to have prōmīsit promised
24.21 Testēs witnesses aut either prō for prīmō first aut or prō for secundō second frātre brother testimōnium testimony dabant were giving
24.22 Scrība scribe aut either litterās letters patris of father aut or sigillum seal falsum false esse to be suspicābātur was suspecting
24.23 Advocātī advocates aut either pācem peace aut or lītis of lawsuit prōsecūtiōnem prosecution suādēbant were advising
24.24 Aut either arbiter arbitrator ēligendus to be chosen aut or iūdicium trial īnstituendum to be instituted erat was
24.25 Prīmus first frāter brother aut either tōtam whole aut or dimidiam half hērēditātem inheritance postulābat was demanding
24.26 Secundus second aut either aequālem equal partem part aut or nihil nothing accipere to receive volēbat was wishing
24.27 Nōtārius notary aut either novum new pactum agreement aut or lītis of lawsuit īnstrūmenta instruments parābat was preparing
24.28 Aut either concordia harmony aut or discordia discord perpetua perpetual inter between frātrēs brothers futūra future erat was
24.29 Tandem finally iūdex judge aut either dīvidere to divide aut or ūnī to one adiūdicāre to adjudicate rem thing dēcrēvit decreed
24.30 Frātrēs brothers aut either sententiām sentence acceptāre to accept aut or appellāre to appeal dēbēbant had to
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24.16 Duo frātrēs aut amīcē aut hostīliter dē hērēditāte contendēbant. Two brothers were disputing about an inheritance either amicably or with hostility.
24.17 Testāmentum patris aut vērum aut falsum esse dīcēbātur. The father's will was said to be either genuine or forged.
24.18 Prīmus frāter aut dolō aut iūre possessiōnem tenēbat. The first brother held possession either through fraud or by right.
24.19 Secundus autem aut vim aut lēgem adhibēre cōgitābat. The second, however, was considering whether to use force or the law.
24.20 Iūdex aut hodiē aut crās audientiam habēre prōmīsit. The judge promised to hold a hearing either today or tomorrow.
24.21 Testēs aut prō prīmō aut prō secundō frātre testimōnium dabant. Witnesses were giving testimony either for the first or for the second brother.
24.22 Scrība aut litterās patris aut sigillum falsum esse suspicābātur. The scribe suspected that either the father's handwriting or the seal was false.
24.23 Advocātī aut pācem aut lītis prōsecūtiōnem suādēbant. The advocates were recommending either peace or pursuit of litigation.
24.24 Aut arbiter ēligendus aut iūdicium īnstituendum erat. Either an arbitrator had to be chosen or a trial had to be initiated.
24.25 Prīmus frāter aut tōtam aut dimidiam hērēditātem postulābat. The first brother was demanding either the whole inheritance or half.
24.26 Secundus aut aequālem partem aut nihil accipere volēbat. The second wanted to receive either an equal share or nothing.
24.27 Nōtārius aut novum pactum aut lītis īnstrūmenta parābat. The notary was preparing either a new agreement or litigation documents.
24.28 Aut concordia aut discordia perpetua inter frātrēs futūra erat. Either lasting harmony or perpetual discord would exist between the brothers.
24.29 Tandem iūdex aut dīvidere aut ūnī adiūdicāre rem dēcrēvit. Finally the judge decided either to divide the property or to award it to one.
24.30 Frātrēs aut sententiām acceptāre aut appellāre dēbēbant. The brothers had to either accept the judgment or appeal.
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24.16 Duo frātrēs aut amīcē aut hostīliter dē hērēditāte contendēbant.
24.17 Testāmentum patris aut vērum aut falsum esse dīcēbātur.
24.18 Prīmus frāter aut dolō aut iūre possessiōnem tenēbat.
24.19 Secundus autem aut vim aut lēgem adhibēre cōgitābat.
24.20 Iūdex aut hodiē aut crās audientiam habēre prōmīsit.
24.21 Testēs aut prō prīmō aut prō secundō frātre testimōnium dabant.
24.22 Scrība aut litterās patris aut sigillum falsum esse suspicābātur.
24.23 Advocātī aut pācem aut lītis prōsecūtiōnem suādēbant.
24.24 Aut arbiter ēligendus aut iūdicium īnstituendum erat.
24.25 Prīmus frāter aut tōtam aut dimidiam hērēditātem postulābat.
24.26 Secundus aut aequālem partem aut nihil accipere volēbat.
24.27 Nōtārius aut novum pactum aut lītis īnstrūmenta parābat.
24.28 Aut concordia aut discordia perpetua inter frātrēs futūra erat.
24.29 Tandem iūdex aut dīvidere aut ūnī adiūdicāre rem dēcrēvit.
24.30 Frātrēs aut sententiām acceptāre aut appellāre dēbēbant.
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This legal narrative demonstrates advanced uses of "aut" in connected discourse:
The story unfolds through a series of alternatives, showing how legal disputes involve constant choices: -
Initial dispute: amicable or hostile -
Evidence: genuine or forged -
Resolution: settlement or trial
Multiple examples show emphatic alternatives: -
"aut amīcē aut hostīliter" - behavioral alternatives -
"aut dolō aut iūre" - legal basis alternatives -
"aut vim aut lēgem" - means alternatives
Example 24.20 shows time alternatives: -
"aut hodiē aut crās" (either today or tomorrow) -
Common in legal scheduling
Several examples use passive voice: -
"dīcēbātur" (was said) -
"ēligendus erat" (had to be chosen) -
Shows how alternatives are presented in legal proceedings
Example 24.24 demonstrates necessity: -
"arbiter ēligendus" (arbitrator to be chosen) -
"iūdicium īnstituendum" (trial to be instituted) -
Shows procedural alternatives
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Subjective: "volēbat" (was wishing) - personal preference -
Objective: "dēcrēvit" (decreed) - judicial decision -
Illustrates different levels of choice in legal matters
The narrative concludes with ultimate alternatives: -
Division vs. sole award (24.29) -
Acceptance vs. appeal (24.30) -
Typical of legal resolutions
The narrative varies "aut" placement: -
Initial: "Aut arbiter ēligendus..." -
Medial: "frāter aut dolō aut iūre..." -
Creates rhythmic variety while maintaining clarity
This narrative demonstrates how "aut" functions not just as a grammatical connector but as a fundamental tool for expressing the alternative pathways inherent in legal proceedings.
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