beneficium competentiae

noun

beneficium com·​pe·​ten·​ti·​ae
-ˌkäm-pə-ˈten-tē-ˌī,
-ˈten-chē-ˌē
1
Roman law : the right of a defendant debtor bearing to plaintiff a special relationship (such as that of ascendant, patron, husband, former partner, or one who has promised but not delivered a gift or dowry) to a judgment that will not deprive the debtor of the means of existence
2
a
civil law : the right of a gratuitous grantor to reserve if indigent a competency to himself or herself out of the subject of his grant
b
Scots law : this right extended to fathers and grandfathers with respect to provisions granted to their children

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, right to a competency

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Cite this Entry

“Beneficium competentiae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beneficium%20competentiae. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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