FIDUCIA

fiducia (fi-d[y]oo-shee-<<schwa>>), n. [Latin “an entrusting”] Roman law. An early form of

transfer of title by way of mortgage, deposit, etc., with a provision for reconveyance upon

payment of the debt, termination of the deposit, etc.

“The Roman mortgage (fiducia) fell wholly out of use before the time of Justinian, having

been displaced by the superior simplicity and convenience of the hypotheca; and in this respect

modern Continental law has followed the Roman.” John Salmond, Jurisprudence 443 (Glanville L.

Williams ed., 10th ed. 1947).[Blacks Law 8th]