Legal Definitions - mandatum

Definition: Mandatum (man-day-tuhm) is a type of bailment in Roman and civil law where the bailee agrees to perform a service related to the goods without receiving any compensation. This type of bailment is solely for the benefit of the bailor.

Example: A friend asks you to take care of their pet while they are on vacation. You agree to do so without receiving any payment. This is an example of mandatum because you are performing a service (taking care of the pet) related to the goods (the pet) without receiving any compensation. The bailment is solely for the benefit of your friend (the bailor).

Another example: A neighbor asks to borrow your lawnmower to mow their lawn. You agree to lend it to them without receiving any payment. This is also an example of mandatum because you are performing a service (lending the lawnmower) related to the goods (the lawnmower) without receiving any compensation. The bailment is solely for the benefit of your neighbor (the bailor).

These examples illustrate the concept of mandatum, where a bailee performs a service related to the goods without receiving any compensation, and the bailment is solely for the benefit of the bailor.