Napoleonic Code

The Napoleonic Code, also called the Code Civil of France or the Code Napoleon, was enacted in 1804 by Napoleon Bonaparte, emperor of France from 1804 - 1814.

The Code was written by a commission of outstanding French lawyers of the time.The Napoleon Series: The Civil Code: an Overview It was based on Roman law, the customs of Paris, the ideals of the French Revolution and the EnlightenmentThe Napoleon Series: The Civil Code: an Overview. The Code is still in effect today in France, although with some major amendments.Legifrance: Current Edition of the Civil Code of France

The Napoleonic Code unified the laws of France into a single code of law.The Napoleon Series: The Civil Code: an Overview It granted equal rights to members of all social groups and established separation of religion and secular law. The Napoleonic Code has influenced civil law in most of Europe, Canada, Latin America and the U.S. state of Louisiana.Canada in the Making: Common Law and Civil Law Louisiana State Legislature: Louisiana Civil Code