Legal Definitions - Aquilian law

Definition: Aquilian law is a Roman law that imposes liability for pecuniary loss caused by damage to property, including compensation to be paid for injury to another's slave or livestock. It was enacted around 287 B.C. and superseded the earlier provisions of the Twelve Tables. The law applies to negligence as well as dolus, and a loss had to be financially measurable and caused wrongfully. If the liable party denied liability, then damages were doubled.

Examples: If someone's property is damaged due to the negligence of another person, the Aquilian law would hold the negligent person liable for the financial loss caused. For instance, if a person's car is damaged due to the negligence of another driver, the negligent driver would be held liable for the financial loss caused to the car owner. Similarly, if a person's livestock is injured or killed due to the negligence of another person, the negligent person would be held liable for the financial loss caused to the livestock owner.

These examples illustrate how the Aquilian law imposes liability for pecuniary loss caused by damage to property and ensures that the liable party compensates the affected party for the financial loss caused due to their negligence.