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Simple English definitions for legal terms
code state
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A quick definition of code state:
Term: Code State
Definition: A code state is a historical term used to describe a state where the legal systems of law and equity have been merged into one procedural system. This means that there is only one form of civil action in the state. The term was commonly used in the early to mid-20th century to differentiate between states that had merged their legal systems and those that had not.
Related term: Noncode State
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A code state is a state where the legal system has merged law and equity into one procedural system. This means that there is only one form of civil action, and equity is no longer administered as a separate system.
For example, California is a code state because it has a comprehensive set of laws that govern all civil actions, including those that were traditionally handled by equity courts. In contrast, states like New York and Delaware are non-code states because they still have separate courts for law and equity.
The concept of a code state was more prevalent in the early to mid-20th century, but it is still relevant today. Understanding whether a state is a code state or a non-code state can be important for lawyers and legal scholars who are studying the differences between legal systems in different parts of the country.