from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SUPERNUMERARII, Rom. civil law. From the reign of Constantine to Justinian,
advocates were divided into two classes: viz. advocates in title, who were
called statute, and supernumeraries. The statutis were inscribed in the
matriculation books, and formed a part of the college of advocates in each
jurisdiction. The supernumeraries were not attached to any bar in
particular, and could reside where, they pleased; they took the place of
advocates by title, as vacancies occurred in that body. Code Justin., de
adv. div. jud. c. 3, 11, 13; Calvini Lex, ad voc.; also Statuti.