Prohibition of Lex Commissoria and Its Impact on Turkish Law

Abstract

Lex commissoria agreement is described as condition attached to the contract in Roman law. It results in the creditor becoming the owner of the pledged property in case the debt is not paid at maturity, with regard to its application in pledge agreements. The lex commissoria agreements, the first applications of which are accepted to have emerged with fiducia, were prohibited by Emperor Constantine in 326 AD with a decree. Prohibiton of lex commissoria was included in the Codex Theodosianus and repeated by Emperor Iustinian. The reason for prohibition of lex commissoria was the economic crisis prevailing and the need for protection against the deceits of usurers. In Turkish law, the ratio legis of this prohibition focuses on protection of the debtor against lesion. Since prohibition of lex commissoria was mostly applied in the provincial lands and many practices narrowed the scope of this prohibition were accepted, the application area of this prohibition in Roman law is very limited, contrary to Turkish law. Despite the change in economic conditions later on, abolishing prohibition of lex commissoria was not considered necessary and discussed. Prohibition of lex commissoria took its place in Swiss law after the cantons have started to be under the influence of Roman law, and in current Turkish law, due to the adaptation movements at the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. In the Turkish Civil Code, prohibition of lex commissoria is included in Art. 949 for movables and Art. 873/2 for immovables. This study will focus on the emergence and application of prohibition of lex commissoria in Roman law, its effects on Turkish law and its application in Turkish law.