Constitutio

Lat. [from constituere, to establish.] In the civil law. An imperial ordinance or constitution, distinguished from Lex, Senatus-consultum, and other kinds of law, and having its effect from the sole will of the emperor.' Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem. Quodcunque ergo imperator per epistolam constituit, vel cognoscens decrevit, vel edicto pr<Bcepit, legem esse constat. H<bc sunt quce constitutiones appellantur. That which has pleased the sovereign has the force of law. Whatever, therefore, the emperor has ordained by rescript, or decreed upon the hearing of any matter, or commanded by edict, is evidently law. These are what are called constitutions.

Just. 1. 2. 6. Cooper's Notes, in he. ffeinecc, Mem, Jur. Civ. Ub. 1, tit. 2, 8 6L