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__NOTOC__[[File:Jacques-Louis David - The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries - Google Art Project.jpg|thumbnail|left|150px|Napoleon in his Study in the Tuileries]]The French Civil Code<ref>Commonly also referred to as Napoleonic code</ref> was enacted on March 21, 1804. The Code represents a comprehensive reformation and codification of the French civil law and was considered by Napoleon himself to be one of his most significant achievements. Nowadays it remains a strong legal, sociological and cultural landmark for the French nation. And in spite of some revisions that were introduced later, the Napoleonic code is still very applicable in the French Republic and Law today.  The Code played a significant role mainly in the formation of the 19th century civil codes in most countries of continental Europe and Latin America. Today many European legal systems are established upon its basis and strong influence. The Civil Code has turned into a truly modern instrument successfully applied for over 200 years despite the vast social transformations in the French society. Its long-lasting effect is closely connected to the very history of its creation.[[File:640px-Speyer_%28DerHexer%29_2010-12-19_051.jpg|thumbnail|Napoleonic Civil Code]]

The main instigator for the promulgation of the Civil Code was Napoleon Bonaparte, the first Consul of France. However, the demand for codification and clarification itself precede the Napoleonic era. Diversity of laws was the dominant characteristic of the pre-revolutionary legal order. Roman law governed actual steps in the south drafting of France, whereas in the northern provinces<ref>including Paris</ref> Code were taken by a customary law had developed and dominated, based largely on feudal Frankish and Germanic institutions. Marriage and family were entirely under the control of the Roman Catholic Church and its cannon law. In additionspecial commission, a wide range of matters were governed headed by royal decrees Jean-Jacques-Regis and ordinances as well as established by case law. The society itself was used to legislative diversity and the king's authority appeared as the only factor of unityNational Convention in 1793. In contrast to Within six weeks the French people the Revolution was not so tolerant of this co-existing diversity. Insteadcommission prepared a draft code, it promoted lately rejected by the great principle of Equality between all citizens, according to which all laws should apply similarly to everyone across the French territory.<ref>Origins and impact of the French Civil Code - http://moj.gov.vn/en/ct/Lists/TalkingLaws/View_Detail.aspx?ItemID=95</ref> The idea of legal unification naturally transformed into legal codification: it became not only possible but almost necessary. The Napoleonic code, therefore, was founded convention on the premise grounds that, for the first time in history, a purely rational law should be created, which justification it was too technical and detailed to be found in its conformity to easily understood by all citizens. In the dictates following years more commissions were established but none of reasontheir draft codes were actually accepted.

The first actual steps in the drafting of the Code were taken by a special commission, headed by Jean-Jacques-Regis and established by the National Convention in 1793. Within six weeks the commission prepared a draft code, lately rejected by the convention on the grounds that it was too technical and detailed to be easily understood by all citizens. In the following years more commissions were established but none of their draft codes were actually accepted. Finally, in 1801, the consulate, with Napoleon Bonaparte as first consul, resumed the legislative work and nominated a new commission.<ref>Code Napoléon - http://www.britannica.com/topic/Napoleonic-Code</ref> A final draft in the form of 36 statutes was submitted between 1801 and 1803. On March 21 1804 those statutes were consolidated in a single body of law – the Code Civil des Francais. Due to political reasons its title was changed several times and in 1807 it became Code Napoléon. However, since 1870, statutes have referred to it simply as the “civil code”.

The creation process of the Civil Code was inspired by Justinian's sixth-century codification of Roman law, principles incorporated in the Corpus Iuris Civilis. The Napoleonic Code, however, differed from Justinian's were written in important ways: it incorporated 3 main books containing more than 25 Titles and over 100 Chapters. Under the code all male citizens are equal; all kinds class privileges are extinguished. Freedom of earlier rulesperson, not only legislation. It was a comprehensive rewrite with a more rational structure freedom of contract and no religious contentinviolability of private property are fundamental principles. <ref>Napoleon Series - Government & Politics: The development of the Napoleonic Civil Code was a fundamental change in the nature of the civil law system, making laws clearer and more accessible- http://www. It also superseded the former conflict between the royal legislative power and the views of the judges, thus having no case law in Francenapoleon-series. However, the decisions made by some important courts have become more or less close equivalent to case law itselforg/research/government/c_code. html</ref>

The principles incorporated in the Napoleonic Code were written in 3 main books containing more than 25 Titles and over 100 Chapters. Under the code all male citizens are equal; all class privileges are extinguished. Freedom of person, freedom of contract and inviolability of private property are fundamental principles.<ref>Napoleon Series - Government & Politics: The Civil Code - http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.html</ref> The preliminary article of the Code established certain important provisions regarding the rule of law, that is - Laws could be applied only if they had been duly promulgated, and then only if they had been published officially. Thus, no secret laws were and could be authorized any longer. The Code also prohibited ex post facto laws (laws that apply to events that occurred before their own introduction). Furthermore, on one hand, judges were prohibited from refusing justice on the grounds of insufficiency of the law, thereby encouraging them to interpret the law. On the other hand, the Napoleonic Code also prohibited judges from passing general judgements of a legislative value.