Who were the individuals that interpreted laws in court?

Answer 1

In court, laws are interpreted by judges. Judges are appointed or elected officials who preside over legal proceedings and have the authority to interpret and apply laws to specific cases. They are responsible for ensuring that the law is correctly and fairly applied in accordance with legal principles and precedents.

Answer 2

During the Roman Republic the praetors, who were the second highest ranking officers of state, were like chiefs justices. They issued the Praetor's Edict, which stated the praetors' policy on judicial matters for their term of office (one year). Praetors endorsed much of the content of previous edicts, thus ensuring continuity. Although praetors were not legislators and could not introduce new laws, they could make amendments. These introduced needed innovations. Therefore, the development and improvement of Roman law during the Republic owed a lot to the praetors. This role ended when emperors took charge of legislation.

Jurists (legal experts) played a crucial role in the formulation legal matters and the development of Roman law. Since the praetors were politicians, not lawyers, they often submitted consulta (written questions) to jurists and their replies were often used for the compilation of their edicts. Emperors also relied on the advice of jurists for their own edicts. The emperor Justinian I commissioned two textbooks for law students in the 6th century AD. They relied heavily on the writings of some prominent jurists of the 2nd and 3rd century AD

Answer 3

Puteoli interpreted laws and acted as judges in Ancient Rome.

Answer 4

First Punic war