Legal Definitions - Codex Repetitae Praelectionis

The Codex Repetitae Praelectionis refers to the second, revised edition of the comprehensive legal code issued by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 534 AD. After the initial publication of his vast compilation of Roman laws, new imperial decrees and legislation continued to be enacted. This meant that the first code quickly became incomplete and somewhat outdated. To address this, Justinian commissioned a thorough revision, integrating all the latest laws and clarifications into a new, updated version. This updated code, the Codex Repetitae Praelectionis, superseded the earlier edition and became the definitive collection of imperial laws, forming a crucial part of what is collectively known as the Corpus Juris Civilis. It represents a significant historical effort to maintain a current, coherent, and authoritative body of law in response to ongoing legislative activity.

• Example 1: National Statutory Compilation

  Imagine a modern nation that initially publishes a complete compilation of all its criminal laws in a single, authoritative volume. Over the next five years, the national legislature passes several new acts, introducing stricter penalties for cybercrime, creating new environmental offenses, and amending existing sentencing guidelines. To ensure that judges, lawyers, and citizens have access to a single, up-to-date source, the government then issues a new, revised edition of the criminal code that meticulously integrates all these recent legislative changes, effectively replacing the older version.

  This scenario mirrors the Codex Repetitae Praelectionis because it describes a subsequent, comprehensive compilation of laws made necessary by new legislation enacted after the initial code was published, aiming to provide a current and complete legal reference.

• Example 2: Financial Regulatory Handbook

  A country's central financial regulatory body publishes a comprehensive handbook detailing all rules and regulations governing banking practices. A few years later, due to new international standards, emerging financial technologies, and a major economic crisis, the body introduces several significant amendments and new directives. Rather than simply issuing a series of scattered updates, the regulator decides to release a completely new edition of its rulebook. This new edition meticulously incorporates all the changes, repeals outdated sections, and reorganizes content, making it the sole authoritative source for current banking regulations.

  This illustrates the concept of the Codex Repetitae Praelectionis as a revised and updated legal compilation that supersedes an earlier version, integrating all subsequent legislative or regulatory developments into a single, coherent document to maintain its authority and relevance.

• Example 3: Municipal Ordinances Update

  A bustling city council initially codifies all its municipal ordinances, covering everything from zoning regulations to public safety and sanitation, into a single, accessible volume. Over time, new urban development projects lead to significant changes in zoning laws, and new public health concerns prompt the creation of additional sanitation regulations. To avoid confusion and ensure clarity for residents and businesses, the city publishes a second, updated edition of its municipal code. This new edition incorporates all the new ordinances and amendments, making the previous edition obsolete for legal reference.

  This scenario demonstrates the principle behind the Codex Repetitae Praelectionis: an existing body of law is revised and re-published in a new, comprehensive edition to reflect and integrate all subsequent legislative changes, ensuring its continued accuracy and authority.