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1750 BCE
The Code of Hammurabi
This is one of earliest records of laws being recorded. Nearly 300 laws were carved into stone and the punishments were consistent. At this time, it was believed that harsh punishment was deserved when laws were broken. -
1240 BCE
Mosaic Law
Moses, who is said to have been given law from God, gave them to the Hebrew people. These laws were carved into two stones and were called the 10 commandments. Restitution was practiced under this law. -
550 BCE
Justinian Law
The Byzantine Emperor Justinian codified 1000 years of Roman Law, which emphasized equality under the law. -
1000
Feudal System
When France conquered England, the land was divided among the nobles. The lords has servants who judged the law and these judges often began overlooking cases. Inconsistency began to rise.These decisions lead to what is currently known as common law in England. -
1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document made after King John of England abused his power. This introduced the rule of law, which stated that all people (rulers and commoners) must follow the same laws. It also introduced Habeas Corpus which was "a person must be brought to court to decide if they are being legally obtained". -
1265
Parliament and Statute Law
English nobility wanted more power so they challenged King Henry III. The first parliament was created and its job was to pass laws. They began writing down laws so that the public could read them. -
Napoleonic Code
This is also known as the French civil code. Napoleon was in control of most of Europe at this time and because of this they followed this model.