Legal Definitions - denuntiatio

Denuntiatio (pronounced di-nun-shee-ay-shee-oh) is a Latin term that has several meanings:

1. In Roman and civil law, it refers to a declaration made by someone to protect or enforce their rights. This can include reporting a crime or making a claim for damages.
2. Historically, it was used to refer to a summons or public notice.
3. In Scots law, it is the Crown's public denunciation of a debtor as a rebel and an outlaw when the debtor has disobeyed an order to pay.

Here are some examples of how denuntiatio might be used:

• If someone is the victim of a crime, they might make a denuntiatio to the authorities to report what happened and seek justice.
• In ancient Rome, denuntiatio was used to summon people to appear in court or to make a public announcement about a new law or policy.
• If a debtor in Scotland fails to pay a debt after being ordered to do so, the Crown might issue a denuntiatio declaring them an outlaw and subject to punishment.

These examples illustrate how denuntiatio can be used in different legal contexts to protect rights, enforce laws, and seek justice.