Lex scripta

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Lex scripta (plural: leges scriptae) is a Latin expression that means "written or statutory law". It is in contrast to lex non scripta , customary or common law. The term originates from the Roman legal tradition. Emperor Justinian divided the lex scripta into several categories:[ citation needed ]

Lex scripta has a lasting effect that can define a legal tradition for a culture such as that found in the Corpus Juris Civilis , Magna Carta, Tang Code, or a country's constitution.

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