Definition

Noun: 1. The legal code of ancient Rome; codified under Justinian; the basis for many modern systems of civil law: This term refers specifically to the body of Roman law that applied to Roman citizens. It was later systematically compiled and organized under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD, forming a core part of the Corpus Juris Civilis. This codified law is a foundational source for the civil law legal systems used in many countries today.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The study of jus civile is essential for understanding the origins of European legal traditions.
  • Roman jus civile was distinct from jus gentium, the law governing dealings with foreigners.
  • Many principles of modern contract law can be traced back to the jus civile.

Advanced Usage

• "The principles of the jus civile": Refers to the fundamental legal doctrines and rules contained within the Roman civil code.
  • The court's decision was influenced by the ancient principles of the jus civile.
• In historical and legal academic writing, jus civile is often contrasted with other Roman legal concepts like jus gentium (law of nations) and jus naturale (natural law).

Variants and Related Words

• Civil Law (n): The modern system of law derived from Roman , prevalent in continental Europe, Latin America, and other regions. It is based on codified statutes rather than judicial precedent.
• Corpus Juris Civilis (n): Meaning "Body of Civil Law," this is the comprehensive collection of Roman laws and legal commentaries compiled under Emperor Justinian I, which included the jus civile.
• Jus Gentium (n): The "law of nations" in ancient Rome, a body of law developed to handle cases between Roman citizens and foreigners.

Synonyms

• Roman civil law
• Roman law (in its specific, citizen-applicable sense)
• Justinian code (referring specifically to its codified form)

Notes on Meaning

• Historical vs. Modern Context: In its original Roman context, jus civile was the law for citizens (). In modern academic usage, it almost exclusively refers to this historical Roman legal system and its Justinian codification, not to contemporary civil law, though the latter is its descendant.
• Contrast with Common Law: Jus civile is the direct antecedent of the civil law tradition, which is different from the common law tradition that developed in England.

Noun

1. the legal code of ancient Rome; codified under Justinian; the basis for many modern systems of civil law