Actio Arbitraria

In the civil law. An arbitrary action; one depending upon the discretion of the judge (ex arbitrio judicis pendens); or in which the judge was allowed to determine, according to equity, the amount of satisfaction due to the plaintiff (permittitur judici ex bono et aequo, secundum cujusque rei de qua actum est naturam, aestimare quemadmodum actori satisfieri oporteat). If the defendant refused to conform to the decision of the judge, he might be condemned at discretion (nisi arbitrio judicis actori satisfaciat, — condemnari debeat).

Inst. 4. 6. 31.