Responsa prudentum

The opinions of learned lawyers. See 1 Bl. Comm. 80.

Lat. Answers of jurists; responses given upon cases or questions of law referred to them, by certain learned Roman jurists, who, though not magistrates, were authorized to render such opinions. These responsa constituted one of the most important sources of the earlier Roman law, and were of great value in developing its scientific acouracy. They held much the same place of authority as our modem precedents and reports.

I.

In the Roman law. Answers or opinions of lawyers, jurists or jurisconsults, — one of the principal sources of Roman jurisprudence.