What is the name of the legal code introduced by Napoleon in 1804?

The legal code introduced by Napoleon in 1804 was the Napoleonic Code, officially called the Civil Code of the French. It established a unified system of civil law during the French Consulate and came into force on 21 March 1804.

The code was drafted by a commission of four leading jurists: Jean-Étienne-Marie Portalis, François Tronchet, Félix Bigot de Préameneu, and Jacques de Maleville. Napoleon chaired several discussions and used his political authority to push the legislation through, although he did not personally write the code. It emphasized clear written law, equality before civil courts, protection of property, and the secular authority of the state.

The Napoleonic Code did not cover every area of law. It was primarily a civil code; France also had separate criminal and commercial codes. The Code of Hammurabi belonged to ancient Babylon, while Justinian’s Code was a sixth-century Byzantine compilation. France’s civil code remains in force, though it has been extensively amended.