Codification (law) - Codification in Common Law and Civil Law Jurisdictions

Codification in Common Law and Civil Law Jurisdictions

Contrary to popular belief, the common law has been codified in many jurisdictions in many areas; examples include the Law of General Obligations of New York State, the English law relating to marine insurance in the Marine Insurance Act 1906, which was originally judge-made common law, and the California Civil Code.

In civil law jurisdictions, codification has also occurred in many areas. Statutes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were most notable codifications of law in the Central and Eastern Europe of the 16th century. The codification movement developed out of the philosophy of the Enlightenment and began in several European countries during the late 18th century (see civil code). However, it only gained significant momentum with the enactment of the French Napoleonic Code in 1804.

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