Solidum

Solidum is a term that appears in Roman law, referring to a joint and several obligation. In a solidary obligation, multiple debtors are bound to a creditor for the same debt, and any one of the debtors can be compelled to pay the entire debt. Conversely, any one of the creditors can demand the entire debt from any of the debtors. This contrasts with a divisible obligation where each debtor is only liable for their proportionate share.

The concept of solidum was a significant development in Roman legal thought, providing a more robust mechanism for creditors to ensure repayment. If one debtor was unable to pay, the creditor could still recover the full amount from the remaining debtors. This principle was particularly useful in commercial transactions where the creditworthiness of individual parties might be uncertain.

The Roman jurists debated the precise nature and extent of solidary obligations, and different types of solidary relationships existed. However, the core idea remained that of a shared responsibility where the whole debt could be enforced against any single party. The influence of the solidum concept can be traced through later legal systems, including civil law traditions that inherited much of Roman jurisprudence. While the term itself may not be widely used in modern legal contexts, the underlying principle of joint and several liability remains a common feature in contract law and other areas.