1. A complete system of positive law, carefully arranged and officially promulgated; a systematic collection or revision of laws, rules, or regulations (the Uniform Commercial Code). • Strictly, a code is a compilation not just of existing statutes, but also of much of the unwritten law on a subject, which is newly enacted as a complete system of law.
— Also termed consolidated laws. See CODIFICATION.
“A code is not only a collection of the existing statutory law, but also of much of the unwritten law on any subject, and is composed partly of such materials as might be at hand from all sources — from statutes, cases, and from customs — supplemented by such amendments, alterations, and additions as are deemed by the codifiers necessary to harmonize and perfect the existing system. In fact, in making a code, new laws may be added and old laws repealed in order to constitute a complete system.” William M. Lile et al., Brief Making and the Use of Law Books 18–19 (3d ed. 1914).
2. (usu. cap.) The collection of laws and constitutions made by order of the Roman Emperor Justinian and first authoritatively published in A.D. 529 (with a second edition in 534). • Contained in 12 books, the Code is one of four works that make up what is now called the Corpus Juris Civilis.
— Also termed (in sense 2) Legal Code. See CODEX; CORPUS JURIS CIVILIS.
