Legal Definitions - clam

Definition: secretly; covertly. Under Roman law, an act (such as occupying or altering the condition of someone else's property) was committed clam when it was done with the intent to conceal it in an effort to avoid liability.

Example: In Roman law, if someone secretly occupied or altered someone else's property, they could be issued an interdictum quod vi aut clam, which required them to restore the property to its previous condition.

Explanation: The term clam refers to doing something secretly or covertly, with the intention of avoiding liability. The example illustrates how under Roman law, if someone committed an act clam, they could be held liable and required to restore the property to its previous condition.