Corpus Juris
Literal meaning: “Body of law”
What does the Latin term "Corpus Juris" mean in law?
Corpus juris refers to the entire body or collection of law, encompassing statutes, case law, regulations, and legal principles that constitute the legal system of a jurisdiction. Historically, the term is most associated with the Corpus Juris Civilis, the comprehensive codification of Roman law compiled under Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, which profoundly influenced the development of civil law systems worldwide. In American legal practice, Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS) is a well-known legal encyclopedia that provides a comprehensive statement of American law organized by topic. The term is used broadly to refer to any systematic compilation of legal authority.
Source: General · Legal Latin
Legal Definition
Corpus juris refers to the entire body or collection of law, encompassing statutes, case law, regulations, and legal principles that constitute the legal system of a jurisdiction. Historically, the term is most associated with the Corpus Juris Civilis, the comprehensive codification of Roman law compiled under Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, which profoundly influenced the development of civil law systems worldwide. In American legal practice, Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS) is a well-known legal encyclopedia that provides a comprehensive statement of American law organized by topic. The term is used broadly to refer to any systematic compilation of legal authority.
How It's Used
Legal scholars reference the corpus juris when discussing the totality of a jurisdiction's legal framework or when tracing the historical development of legal principles from Roman law through modern codifications. Practitioners cite Corpus Juris Secundum as a secondary source when researching the general state of the law on a particular topic.
Example Sentences
The professor traced the doctrine of good faith in contract performance back to the corpus juris civilis of Justinian's Rome.
The brief cited Corpus Juris Secundum for the general proposition that a landlord owes a duty of care to maintain common areas.
After independence, the new nation undertook the monumental task of establishing its own corpus juris to replace the colonial legal framework.