Chapter — 1917 Code of Canon Law
Chapter VI: Of Presumptions
Superseded as law in 1983 — read why this Code still matters. Each canon links to its 1983 counterpart.
§ 1. A presumption is a probable conjecture of an uncertain thing; and it is either of law, which is established by the law itself, or of man, which is conjectured by the judge.
§ 2. A presumption of law is either simply of law or of law and by law.
§ 1. Praesumptio est rei incertae probabilis coniectura; eaque alia est iuris, quae ab ipsa lege statuitur; alia hominis, quae a iudice coniicitur.
§ 2. Praesumptio iuris alia est iuris simpliciter, alia iuris et de iure.
1983 Code correlation: can. 1584
Against a presumption simply of law both direct and indirect proof is admitted; against a presumption of law and by law, only indirect proof, that is, against the fact which is the foundation of the presumption.
Contra praesumptionem iuris simpliciter admittitur probatio tum directa tum indirecta; contra praesumptionem iuris et de iure, tantum indirecta, hoc est contra factum quod est praesumptionis fundamentum.
One who has a presumption of law for himself is freed from the burden of proving, which falls back upon the adverse party; if that party does not prove, sentence must be rendered in favor of the party for whom the presumption stands.
Qui habet pro se iuris praesumptionem, liberatur ab onere probandi, quod recidit in partem adversam; qua non probante, sententia ferri debet in favorem partis pro qua stat praesumptio.
1983 Code correlation: can. 1585
The judge is not to conjecture presumptions which are not established by law, unless from a certain and determinate fact which directly coheres with that concerning which there is controversy.
Praesumptiones, quae non statuuntur a iure, iudex ne coniiciat, nisi ex facto certo et determinato, quod cum eo, de quo controversia est, directe cohaereat.
1983 Code correlation: can. 1586