Legal Definitions - re, verbis, literis, consensu

RE, VERBIS, LITERIS, CONSENSU

Re, verbis, literis, consensu is a Latin phrase used in Roman law to refer to the four classes of Roman contract. It means "by the performance (namely, handing over), by words, by writing, by consent."

• Handing over a payment for goods (re)
• Agreeing to a contract verbally (verbis)
• Signing a written contract (literis)
• Consenting to a contract without any physical action or documentation (consensu)

These examples illustrate the four ways in which a contract could be formed in Roman law. A contract could be formed by handing over something of value (re), by agreeing to terms verbally (verbis), by signing a written contract (literis), or by simply giving consent without any physical action or documentation (consensu).