Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/174

–78– -78CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS See. 1. Construction of title.

§ 1. Construction of title The rule of the common law, that statutes in derogation thereof are to be strictly construed, has no application to this title. This title establishes the law of the Canal Zone respecting the subjects to which it relates. CHAPTER 3—PERSONS 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43.

Minors; married persons over 18; effect of annulment. Periods of minority. Adults. Unborn child as existing person; limitation of actions for injuries. Delegation of powers by minors; incapacities. Contracts by minors. Disaffirmance by minors; riglits of innocent purchaser. Contracts and obligations of minors which may not be disaffirmed. Contracts by persons without understanding. Contracts by persons of unsound mind. Powers of persons whose incapacity is adjudged. Liability of minors and mentally unsound persons for wrongs. Enforcement of minors' rights.

§ 31. Minors; married persons over 18; effect of annulment (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, and subject to the provisions of Title 8 relating to marriage, minors are all persons under 21 years of age. (b) A person who has reached the age of 18 years and thereafter contracts a lawful marriage, or who has contracted a lawful marriage and thereafter reaches the age of 18 years, is, in the first instance upon contracting the marriage, and in the second instance upon reaching the age of 18 years, of the age of majority and an adult person for the purpose of: (1) entering into an engagement or transaction respecting property or his estate; (2) entering into a contract; or (3) maintaining or defending an action affecting his marital status, including an action or proceeding involving his support or the support or custody of children of the marriage, or determination of property rights— the same as if he were 21 years of age. (c) Subsequent annulment of a marriage referred to by subsection (b) of this section does not deprive the person of his adult status once attained under the provisions of that subsection, unless the judgment of annulment is obtained in an action commenced prior to his reaching the age of 18 years. I n the latter case, he has remained a minor at all times notwithstanding the marriage. (d) This section does not limit section 343 of Title 8. § 32. Periods of minority The periods specified by section 31 of this title are calculated from the first minute of the day on which persons are born to the same minute of the corresponding day completing the period of minority. § 33. Adults All persons who are not minors, as provided by this chapter, are adults. § 34. Unborn child as existing person; limitation of actions for injuries A child conceived, but not yet born, is to be deemed an existing person, as far as may be necessary for its interests in the event of its subsequent birth.

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