Legal Definitions - ferae bestiae

Definition: Ferae bestiae (feer-ee bes-tee-ee) is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to wild beasts. In Roman law, since a wild animal belonged to no one (res nullius), its captor acquired ownership by occupatio.

Example: If a person catches a wild bird or finds pearls on the shore, they can claim ownership of it through occupatio. This means that the person who first possesses the thing that previously belonged to no one becomes the owner of it.

Explanation: Ferae bestiae refers to wild animals that are not owned by anyone. In Roman law, a person can claim ownership of a wild animal by catching it or possessing it through occupatio. This means that the person who first possesses the thing that previously belonged to no one becomes the owner of it. For example, if a person catches a wild bird or finds pearls on the shore, they can claim ownership of it through occupatio.