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Задание:

TASK 3. Answer the following questions:

What efforts did Napoleon make to reorganise the diverse legal systems of France?
Did Napoleon draw up the whole code himself?
What was so remarkable about Napoleon’s new code?
What were the benefits of Napoleon’s code for the ordinary people?
Which countries throughout the world still use the elements of Napoleon’s code?

Napoleon’s Law

The laws of much of continental Europe (particularly France), of Quebec in Canada, and of much of Latin America — along with the civil laws of Louisiana — owe their modern form largely to the work of a man who never even studied law. Napoleon Bonaparte, the Corsican soldier who became emperor of France after the French Revolution, established in 1800 five commissions to refine and organise the diverse legal systems of France. The result, enacted in 1804, was the Napoleon’s Code.

Some of its original 2,281 articles were drafted by Napoleon himself, and all were affected by his thinking, even though he was completely self-taught in legal matters. The code was a triumphant attempt to create a legal system that treated all citizens as equals without regard to their rank or previous privileges. It was also so clearly written that it could be read and understood by ordinary people at a time when only Latin scholars could make sense of the earlier laws handed down since Roman times. The code was adopted intact in most of the areas of Europe that Napoleon dominated and spread from there across the Atlantic, taking root particularly in French-speaking American communities. Many of its principles are still in force today.

 

Ответ на задание:

1. Napoleon’s Efforts to Reorganize French Legal Systems

Napoleon established five commissions to consolidate and simplify the diverse and often contradictory legal systems inherited from the Ancien Régime. This move aimed to create a unified legal framework for all French citizens.

2. Did Napoleon Draft the Whole Code Himself?

No, Napoleon did not draft the entire code himself. While he contributed to some articles and influenced its overall direction, the code was the product of a collaborative effort by legal experts. His role was more that of an inspiring leader and guiding force.

3. What Was Remarkable About Napoleon’s New Code?

The Napoleon’s Code was remarkable for several reasons:

• Clarity and Simplicity: It was written in clear and concise language, making it accessible to the general public.
• Equality Before the Law: It established the principle of equality before the law, abolishing the privileges of the aristocracy.
• Secularism: It separated church and state, reducing the influence of religion on legal matters.
• Efficiency: It streamlined legal procedures, making the justice system more efficient.

4. Benefits for Ordinary People

The Napoleon’s Code brought significant benefits to ordinary people:

• Protection of Rights: It guaranteed individual rights and liberties, safeguarding citizens from arbitrary government actions.
• Access to Justice: It made the legal system more accessible and understandable, reducing the power of legal elites.
• Economic Opportunities: It promoted economic development by providing a stable and predictable legal environment.

5. Countries Using Elements of Napoleon’s Code

Many countries still use elements of Napoleon’s Code, including:

• Continental European Countries: France, Germany, Italy, and Spain
• Latin American Countries: Many countries in Latin America, particularly those with historical ties to France
• Quebec, Canada: The civil law system of Quebec is heavily influenced by the Napoleon’s Code.
• Louisiana, USA: Louisiana’s civil law system is based on the Napoleon’s Code.

 

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Закон Наполеона

Законы большей части континентальной Европы (особенно Франции), Квебека в Канаде и большей части Латинской Америки, а также гражданское право Луизианы в значительной степени обязаны своей современной формой трудам человека, который даже не изучал юриспруденцию. Наполеон Бонапарт, корсиканский солдат, ставший императором Франции после Французской революции, учредил в 1800 году пять комиссий для уточнения и организации разнообразных правовых систем Франции. Результатом, принятым в 1804 году, стал Кодекс Наполеона.

Некоторые из его первоначальных 2281 статей были написаны самим Наполеоном, и все они были под влиянием его мышления, хотя он был полностью самоучкой в юридических вопросах. Кодекс был триумфальной попыткой создать правовую систему, которая относилась бы ко всем гражданам как к равным, независимо от их ранга или прежних привилегий. Он также был настолько ясно написан, что мог быть прочитан и понят обычными людьми в то время, когда только латинские ученые могли разобраться в более ранних законах, переданных с римских времен. Кодекс был принят без изменений в большинстве районов Европы, которые находились под властью Наполеона, и распространился оттуда через Атлантику, особенно укоренившись во франкоязычных американских общинах. Многие из его принципов действуют и сегодня.