Page "Roman law" Paragraph 12

The adaptation of law to new needs was given over to juridical practice, to magistrates, and especially to the praetors.

A praetor was not a legislator and did not technically create new law when he issued his edicts ( magistratuum edicta ).

In fact, the results of his rulings enjoyed legal protection ( actionem dare ) and were in effect often the source of new legal rules.

A Praetor's successor was not bound by the edicts of his predecessor ; however, he did take rules from edicts of his predecessor that had proved to be useful.

In this way a constant content was created that proceeded from edict to edict ( edictum traslatitium ).