Digesto

Digesto is a term used to denote a digest or compilation of law and jurisprudence. In civil-law traditions, a digesto serves as a comprehensive reference work that collects, organizes, and often comments on statutes, case law, and doctrinal writings. The word is used in several Romance-language legal cultures to refer to a systematic compilation of legal material that aids study and application.

Etymology and scope: Digesto derives from Latin digestus, meaning things set forth or arranged. In Italian and other Romance-language contexts, the term has come to denote a formal, topic-oriented collection of legal material, which may include summaries, analyses, and cross-references. It is distinct from a statutory code, though it may rely on and cite the same sources.

Roman law and influence: The most prominent historical instance is the Digest (Latin Digesta or Pandectae) of Justinian I, compiled in the 6th century as part of the Corpus Juris Civilis. The Digest gathered and organized quotings and opinions of earlier jurists by topic, providing a foundational reference for later civil-law systems. Its structure and purpose inspired later European legal encyclopedias and digesto tradition.

Modern usage: In many civil-law jurisdictions, digesto or digests are legal encyclopedias that synthesize statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and scholarly commentary. In Italy, for example, the term digesto giuridico broadly refers to standard reference works used by students, jurists, and courts for legal research. These digesti complement codes and statutes by offering organized topics, analysis, and cross-references.

See also: Digest (Roman law), legal encyclopedia, civil law.