Define: Libellus Accusatorius

A libellus accusatorius is a written accusation or complaint filed in a Roman court, typically in cases of defamation or slander.

The purpose of a libellus accusatorius is to bring a formal legal complaint against someone for making false or damaging statements about another person.

If the court finds the accused guilty of defamation or slander, they may be required to pay damages to the victim and issue a public retraction of their statements.

In Roman law, only the person who has been defamed or slandered can file a libellus accusatorius. However, in modern legal systems, libel and slander laws may vary, and anyone who has been harmed by false statements may be able to file a similar complaint.

Libel refers to written or published false statements that harm someone’s reputation, while slander refers to spoken false statements that harm someone’s reputation.

In Roman law, the accuser would need to provide evidence of the false statements, such as written documents or witness testimony. In modern legal systems, similar evidence would be required to support a libel or slander claim.

In some cases, the accused may choose to settle the matter out of court by issuing a public apology and paying damages to the victim.

The accused may be able to defend themselves by proving that the statements in question were true, or that they were made in good faith and without malicious intent.

The statute of limitations for filing a libel or slander claim varies by jurisdiction, but in many cases, the victim must file the complaint within a certain number of years from the date the false statements were made.

In some cases, particularly if the false statements were made with malicious intent and caused significant harm, the accused may face criminal charges in addition to civil liability.