Posted by Shadow on October 24, 1999 at 08:49:27:
In Reply to: ius from Justinian posted by Marquis James von Hartman, MLP on September 14, 1999 at 06:54:29:
"The legal system is based more upon Roman law, in the form of the
Code of Justinian (Corpus Juris Civilis), than upon the French or
Spanish civil codes in the Co-Principality of Andorra.
The centralized empire envisaged by Justinian
required a uniform legal system. Therefore, a
commission worked for ten years to collect and
systematize existing Roman law. Their work was
incorporated into the Justinian Code, promulgated in
534, that remains the basis for the law of most
European countries.
Emperor of the Byzantine is best remembered for his codification of Roman Law in a series of books called Corpus Juris Civilis.
His collection served as an important basis for law in contemporary society, and was inspired by logic-based Greek legal principles.
Many legal maxims still in use today are derived from Justinian's Code. His work inspired the modern concept and, indeed, the very
spelling of "justice". This Roman Code survived as the many parts of Germany until 1900 and important traces of it can be found in
the law of Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Quebec. Roman law formed the base of civil law, one of the two main legal systems to
govern modern society in the Western civilization (the other being English common law). A quote: "The things which are common
to all (and not capable of being owned) are: the air, running water, the sea and the seashores."
It is interesting to note the joint Heads of State are the Co-Princes (the Bishop of Urgel with the President of France) in Andorra.
Legislative powers are exercised by the General Council and
executive powers by the government."