Organized statutes covering broad areas (civil, commercial, criminal, procedure codes)

Written as general principles plus specific rules for common situations

Structured for accessibility (books/parts/titles/articles)

Codes are the first and main reference for deciding cases

Text, structure, and purpose of provisions are prioritized

Reduced case-by-case lawmaking via predetermined rules

Predictability: citizens can consult written rules

Uniformity: consistent application across courts/regions

Completeness aspiration: systematic drafting to cover most disputes

Highest authority; guides interpretation and validity of codes

Central source for rights, obligations, and legal consequences

Implement statutes; must conform to higher norms

May have direct effect or require harmonized interpretation

Good faith, equity, proportionality, abuse of rights (jurisdiction-specific)

Used to interpret, fill gaps, and guide application of codes

Applies where permitted by code or recognized practice

Prior decisions guide consistency but are typically not formally binding

Identify relevant articles and interpret their meaning

Use structured reasoning within the codified framework

Textual/literal interpretation

Systematic interpretation (within the code’s structure)

Teleological/purposive interpretation (aims and values)

Historical interpretation (legislative intent, drafting history)

Analogy to similar codified rules

Reliance on general principles (e.g., good faith)

Limited judicial development consistent with the code’s logic

Higher-court decisions often considered for guidance

“Jurisprudence constante” may emerge as strong persuasive authority

Contract, tort/delict, property, family, succession, etc.

Find relevant titles/chapters/articles

Elements, validity, performance, remedies, limitation periods

Match facts to elements; address burdens/standards of proof (often procedural code)

Use interpretation tools and hierarchy of norms

Damages, specific performance, injunction-like measures (varies), restitution

Civil law: codes and statutes are central

Common law: judicial precedent has a central law-making role

Civil law: generally persuasive, less formally binding

Common law: binding precedent (stare decisis) is foundational

Civil law: deductive application from general rules to particular cases

Common law: incremental development through analogizing cases

Civil law: focus on codes, commentaries, doctrinal writings

Common law: focus on cases and case analysis

Persons and legal capacity

Property and real rights

Obligations (contracts, quasi-contracts, tort/delict)

Family law and succession (sometimes separate codes)

Companies, negotiable instruments, trade practices, insolvency elements

Definitions of offenses and penalties

Civil procedure: jurisdiction, pleadings, evidence, appeals

Criminal procedure: investigation, trial rights, evidentiary rules

Provides systematic interpretation and conceptual frameworks

Influences courts and legislators, especially where provisions are ambiguous

Article-by-article explanations and practical guidance

Align outcomes with the code’s structure and principles

Technology and social change create gaps and ambiguities

Meaning develops through consistent application

Amendments and special statutes can complicate the “code-first” ideal

May require reinterpretation or invalidation of code provisions