Legal Definitions - causa promissionis

Definition: Causa promissionis is a legal term used in ecclesiastical law. It refers to the doctrine that an informal undertaking does not oblige if it lacks a good cause.

Example: If someone promises to give their friend a car without any reason or justification, that promise may not be legally binding under causa promissionis. However, if the promise was made in exchange for the friend's help with a project, then there is a good cause for the promise and it would be legally binding.

Explanation: Causa promissionis is a principle that requires a good reason or justification for a promise to be legally binding. This means that if someone makes a promise without any valid reason, it may not be enforceable in court. The example illustrates this principle by showing how a promise made without a good cause may not be legally binding, while a promise made with a good cause would be.