Heritage - L01: Historical sources of law

law

The code of hammurabi (1750 BCE)

* iraq
* one of the first codified laws

The code of hammurabi - key contributions

* retribution
* restitution: payment for crimes

Mosaic law (1240 BCE)

* egypt
* forbidden to commit sins

Mosaic law - key contributions

* ten commandments

Roman law (450-410 BCE)

* Roman empire
* basis of modern law (through england)
* promoted public prosecution
* promoted victim compensation

roman law - key contributions

led to the use of lawyers

Greek law (400 BCE)

* birthplace of modern democracy
* citizens were expected to participate in major decisions

greek law - key contributions

* voting
* jury duty

Napoleonic Code (1804)

* france and most of europe
* forbade priviledges based on birth
* allowed freedom of religion, family law
* clearly written and accessible

Napoleonic Code - key contributions

* basis of quebec civil law

The Magna Carta (1215)

* led to the rule of law
* habeas corpus (must have evidence)

magna carta - key contributions

* must have a trial
* no unlawful detainment
* no one is above the law

Indigenous law

* complex system
* not respected by colonists

Indigenous laws: uses

* land claims
* self-government
* treaty rights

Spoken tradition

* Originates in the political, economic, spiritual values expressed through the spoken teachings
* Such stories articulate the law in indigenous communities