Certain laws enacted with reference to the honor attaching to offices are excellent in their way; still, as their application, instead of increasing the distinction of officials, is injurious to them, We deem it proper to correct this by means of a brief law. Some constitutions forbid persons of the rank of clarissimi to personally appear in court, and order them to do so by an attorney. This provision was enacted in ancient times to maintain the honor of persons of eminence; but We see that many individuals who have been invested with the rank of clarissimi, for instance, counts, tribunes, and other dignitaries of this kind, are men of very moderate means, and that their resources are far from being sufficient to employ attorneys and meet the expenses incurred by doing so.

  Therefore We order that the following provisions shall be observed with reference to the most magnificent persons of illustrious rank, namely: that they shall, by all means, have pecuniary cases in which they are interested as well as others relating to criminal injuries tried by their attorneys, in accordance with the privilege previously conferred upon them. We decree this in order that they may not be compelled to be seated with the magistrates, when the latter decide their cases, or to stand before them as litigants, which would be equally improper; for then either litigants who are persons of rank will sustain injury, or judicial dignity will not be maintained. But, with the exception of the most magnificent illustres, We desire that all those who wish to do so can either appoint attorneys, or conduct their own cases in person, without molestation or rendering themselves liable to any loss or penalty.

  Your Eminence will, in the customary manner, communicate to all persons the matters which We have seen proper to enact by this Imperial law.