Extinctive prescription in civil law

Abstract

To a legal mind, the mere mention of the term of ‘extinctive prescription’ almost unexceptionally brings about a mental comparison between the term and the related subject of acquisitive prescription. One is tempted to compare the two, to bring out their differences and to point out their similarities. They have been referred to as being ‘two sides of the same coin’ - a description which implies that they are different, but that they have several things in common. It is not intended to go into any detailed comparison, however that there are important similarities is proved by the fact that throughout the ages ever since Roman Law various legislators have included the two types of prescriptions under one Title.