TABLE I. PROCEEDINGS PRELIMINARY TO TRIAL
1. If he (the plaintiff) summon [the defendant] to court (in ius), he (the defendant) shall go. If he (the defendant) go not, he (the plaintiff) shall call a witness thereto. Then only he (the plaintiff) shall take [the defendant] by force.
2. If he (the defendant) attempt evasion or take to flight, he (the plaintiff) shall lay hand [on the defendant].
3. If disease or [old] age shall be an impediment, he who shall summon [the defendant] to court (in ius) shall grant [him] a conveyance; if he (the plaintiff) shall not wish, he (the plaintiff) shall not spread [with cushions] a covered carriage.
4. For a freeholder (taxpayer whose fortune is valued at not less than 1,500 asses[6]) a freeholder shall be surety (vindex) [for his appearance at trial]. For a proletary (non-taxpayer whose fortune is rated at less than a freeholder's) any one who shall be willing shall be surety (vindex).
5. When they (the parties) come to terms, [an official] shall announce [it].[7]
6. If they (the parties) agree not on terms, they shall state [their] case in the comitium (meeting-place) or, in the forum (market-place) ere noon. Both (parties) shall appear in person and shall argue the matter.
7. [If one of the parties shall not have appeared,] after noon [the judge] shall adjudge the case (lis) in favor of him present.
8. If both (parties) be present, sunset shall be the time-limit [of the proceedings].
9. [Both parties shall post] sureties (vades) and subsureties (subvades) [for their appearance].