Dig. 9.2.5.3

Ulpianus 18 ad ed.

Si magister in disciplina vulneraverit servum vel occiderit, an aquilia teneatur, quasi damnum iniuria dederit? et Iulianus scribit aquilia teneri eum, qui eluscaverat discipulum in disciplina: multo magis igitur in occiso idem erit dicendum. proponitur autem apud eum species talis: sutor, inquit, puero discenti ingenuo filio familias, parum bene facienti quod demonstraverit, forma calcei cervicem percussit, ut oculus puero perfunderetur. dicit igitur Iulianus iniuriarum quidem actionem non competere, quia non faciendae iniuriae causa percusserit, sed monendi et docendi causa: an ex locato, dubitat, quia levis dumtaxat castigatio concessa est docenti: sed lege aquilia posse agi non dubito:

 

Further Damages

 If a teacher kills or wounds a slave during a lesson is he liable under the Lex Aquilia for having done unlawful damage?  Julian writes that a man who had put out a pupil's eye in the course of instruction was held liable under the Law.  .... Julian poses this case:  A shoemaker struck the neck of a free-born boy with a last who was learning under him, because he had performed badly.  The boy's eye was knocked out.  On such facts, says Julian, the action for insult does not lie because he struck him not with the intent to insult but in order to correct and teach.  Julian also wonders whether there is an action for breach of contract.  A teacher may only punish a student lightly.  I (Ulpian) have no doubt that an Aquilian action lies.