This is a reproduction of part of a thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen. Copyright © 2002 by Rita Antonie Meyer-Spasche. This text may be cited. Cite as: Rita Antonie Meyer-Spasche, The Recovery of Benefits Conferred under Illegal or Immoral Transactions. A Historical and Comparative Study with particular emphasis on the Law of Unjustified Enrichment (2002) (unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Aberdeen). The original pagination is noted below by use of angle brackets < >. All enquiries concerning the use or reproduction of this material should be addressed to the author.

Roman Law [The Recovery of Benefits Conferred under Illegal or Immoral Transactions, Chapter One]

Rita Meyer-Spasche

A.The Condictio ob Turpem Causam In Classical Roman Law I. The Function of the Condictio in Roman Law

1.Overview of the Roman Civil Procedure

2.Actio Certae Creditae Pecuniae and Actio Certae Rei

II.The Condictio and the Roman Law of Contracts

1.The Roman Contractual System

2.The Interplay of the Law of Contracts and the Condictio

III.Condictio ob Rem and Condictio ob Turpem Causam

1.The Datio ob Rem as the Element Common to Both the Condictio ob Rem and the Condictio ob Turpem Causam

2.The Condictio ob Turpem Causam as a Subcategory of the Condictio ob Rem?

IV. The Condictio ob Turpem Causam and the Law of Contracts

1.Immoral Agreement

2.Tainted Acts in the Context of the Execution of a Contract

B.The Bar to Recovery in the Case of Mutual Turpitude

I.Origin and Field of Application of the Bar to Recovery

1.The Field of Application of the Rule in the Context of the Condictio ob Turpem Causam

2.The Policy of the Rule – An Excursion into the Law of Possession

II.The In Pari Delicto Rule as a Strict Rule, or a Matter of Discretion?

C.The Condictio ob Iniustam Causam

I.Legal Prohibitions in Roman Law

1.Prohibition of Transactions

2.Prohibition of Non-Juridical Acts

II.Fragments Dealing with the Condictio Ex Iniusta Causa

1.The Case of the Lease of Land

2.The Actio Rerum Amotarum

3.The Case of Marital Donations