Early History of Law

The Code of Hammurabi

1750 BCE

This code of laws was one of the first records of law being written down. It consisted of nearly 300 laws carved into stone, with each law there was also a punishment for breaking it. This code was based on a system of retribution.

Mosaic Law

1240 BCE

These were the set of laws that Moses gave to the Hebrew people, that Moses said were from God. They were carved on two stone tablets and called the 10 commandments. Restitution was mostly practised under this law, which is when restoration or compensation is made for a wrong.

Justinian Code

550 BCE

These set of laws were 1000 years of Roman laws, codeified by the Byantine Emperour Justinian. Under this law, equality was greatly emphasized.

Feudal System

1000

This system was established when France conquared England and the land was divided among the nobles. The Lords had servents for which they would judge the laws. But as judges began overlooking cases, inconsistencies arose. These decisions lead to what is currently known as common law in England.

Magna Carta

1215

This was a document that was made after King John of England abused his power. This document introduced the idea that all people, rulers and commoners must follow the same laws, the was called the Rule of Laws. It salso introduced the idea that a person must be brought to court to decide if they are being legally obtained, this was reffered to as Habeas Corpus.

Parliament and Statute Law

1265

At this time English nobility wanted more power like the Monarch, so they challanged King Henry lll. This is how the first Parlement was created, and their job was to pass laws. They also began writing down the laws so that the common people could read them as well.

Napoleonic Code

1804

This is also known as the French Civil Code. Since Napoleon had conquared and was in control of most of Europe at this time, most of Europe followed this code.