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Simple English definitions for legal terms
caput
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A quick definition of caput:
Caput means "head" in Latin. In history, it referred to a leader or important person. In Roman law, it referred to a person's status or condition. A "natural" person is someone who has rights and duties under the law, while an "artificial" person is a company or organization. Slaves in Roman law did not have rights or liabilities and were not considered to have a status or caput. However, the terms "persona" and "caput" were also used in everyday language to refer to both slaves and free people.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Caput (kap-uht) is a Latin word that means "head." It has different meanings in different contexts:
- Historical: A head, chief, or principal person.
- Roman law: A person.
- Roman law: A person's condition or status.
For example, in Roman law, a "natural" person is someone who is considered capable of rights or duties and has a "status" or "caput." This means they have legal capacity and can possess various special capacities such as liberty, citizenship, and family rights. On the other hand, a slave does not have a "status," "caput," or "persona" because they have no rights or liabilities.
Overall, caput refers to the concept of a person's legal status or condition, which can vary depending on the context and legal system.