Legal Definitions - defensor civitatis

Defensor civitatis is a Latin term that means "defender of the city." In Roman law, this refers to an officer who conducts public business, protects people (especially the poor) from legal injustices, adjudicates certain minor offenses and pecuniary matters, and acts as a notary in the execution of a will or other transfer.

The defensor's role was to ensure that the rights of the citizens were protected and that justice was served. They were responsible for upholding the law and maintaining order in the city.

One example of the defensor's duties was to protect the poor from being unfairly treated by the legal system. For instance, if a poor person was accused of a crime, the defensor would ensure that they received a fair trial and were not punished excessively.

Another example of the defensor's role was to act as a notary in the execution of a will or other transfer. This meant that they would witness the signing of legal documents and ensure that they were executed properly.

Overall, the defensor civitatis played an important role in Roman society by upholding the law and protecting the rights of the citizens.