CODE CIVIL

Code Civil.The code embodying the civil law of France, dating from 1804. • It was first known as the Code civil des français to distinguish it from the other four codes promoted by Napoleon. From 1807 to 1816 it was called Code Napoléon, a title that was restored by a decree of Louis Napoleon. Since 1870, French statutes have con-sistently referred simply to the code civil.Cf. NAPOLEONIC CODE. See CIVIL CODE(1). [Blacks Law 8th]