Legal Definitions - stellionatus

Definition: Stellionatus is a Latin term that means "underhand dealing." It refers to fraudulent practices that do not fall under a specific category of offenses. This term is primarily used in Roman and Scots law, especially in cases involving the sale or hypothecation of land.

Example: If someone sells a piece of land to two different people, they are committing stellionatus. This is because they are engaging in fraudulent behavior by selling the same property to two different buyers.

Explanation: The example illustrates stellionatus because the seller is engaging in fraudulent behavior by selling the same property to two different buyers. This is a form of underhand dealing because the seller is not being honest about the fact that they have already sold the property to someone else. This type of behavior is illegal and can result in punishment under Roman and Scots law.