CORPUS IURIS CIVILIS | JUSTINIANO I Historia del Derecho

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In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of the Roman influence on modern law through the Corpus Iuris Civilis, discussing its creator and impact on Roman law up to contemporary times.

The Corpus Iuris Civilis

• Emperor Justinian I ordered the compilation of Roman laws in 528 AD, leading to the creation of the Corpus Iuris Civilis. This compilation aimed to gather all Roman laws and constitutions, marking a significant shift in Roman legal history.

• The compilation was crucial for providing Romans with a uniform legal system as different provinces had varying laws. It signaled the end of the archaic Roman law phase characterized by predominantly oral legal discussions.

• The Corpus Iuris Civilis is commonly divided into twelve books, with notable ones being the Digest or Pandects. The Digest contains rulings from classical Roman jurists, serving as a jurisprudential reference for legal interpretation.

• A key innovation within the Corpus Iuris Civilis was the Codex, which introduced jurisprudential principles still used today as judicial doctrines. The Institutes served as an educational tool for teaching law due to its comprehensive nature.

• Interestingly, within the Codex were prohibitions against litigants and lawyers facing penalties for misquoting or misinterpreting laws outside of those compiled. This underscores the necessity for codification and compilation of laws.

Evolution of Roman Law

• The Corpus Iuris Civilis marked the first life phase of Roman law, succeeded by a second life around 1100 with glossators adapting Justinian's work to contemporary contexts. This evolution paved the way for further developments in legal education and practice.

Conclusion

• The video concludes with acknowledgments and encourages viewers to engage by liking, sharing content for wider reach, and subscribing for more informative videos on legal history.