=V. Concerning the Penalties to which those are Liable who attempt to Repudiate their Written Contracts.= He who repudiates a contract, or obligation, lawfully and properly executed, unless some more powerful person compelled him to do so by force; and afterwards, before the cause is heard, shall pay the penalty prescribed by the said contract, or obligation, then the latter shall be valid. And any contract or obligation, properly drawn up between the parties, even if it contains no penalty, shall under no circumstances, be altered or cancelled. And whatever things are set out in writing in contracts or obligations, shall be perfectly valid; and especially if a party has drawn them up himself, and they have reference to any indebtedness incurred by him. =FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.= =VI. Contracts and Agreements made by Slaves are Invalid, unless Ordered by their Masters.= Honor and justice both demand that, where slaves enter into contracts in writing, or in the presence of witnesses, and not by the order of their masters, such contracts shall be void. =VII. Concerning Dishonorable and Illegal Contracts.= We hereby decree that any contract or obligation, entered into by any person whomsoever, which is injurious and unlawful, shall be void. =VIII. No One shall be Liable in Person or Property, under the Terms of any Contract, where Deception has been Practised: nor shall He be Liable to any Penalty provided by the same.= The practices of wicked and depraved men should always be opposed by the authority of the law. For the reason, therefore, that the avarice of designing persons often fraudulently ensnares others, and induces them to enter into contracts whereby their liberty and their property are lost, such transactions are hereby absolutely prohibited. And whenever a contract is entered into, the penalty for its violation shall not be more than double the amount involved; or triple the amount, if a sum of money be in dispute. But, under no circumstances shall a person be permitted to pledge all his property or his person for the debt of another, because it is manifestly unjust that any one should be ruined personally and financially on account of such indebtedness; and therefore, any obligation or contract made in violation of this law, shall be void and of no effect. =IX. Every Obligation, or Contract, which has been Extorted by Force, or Fear, shall be Void.= Any contract which a person of high or low rank has extorted by force or fear; that is, if he who makes it has been put in prison, or threatened with violent death, or undergone any punishment, or any indignity whatever, or suffered injury of any kind, in an attempt to compel its execution; then any obligation or agreement made under such circumstances shall be void. =FLAVIUS RECESVINTUS, KING.= =X. What Contracts entered into by Minors shall be Valid.=