Unit 1: An Introduction to Law

CHAPTER 1: LAW: ITS PURPOSE AND HISTORY

E-ACTIVITY: QUEBEC CIVIL CODE (p. 12)

Activity: Make a Quebec Civil Code Summary Chart

One of Canada's distinct legal traditions is the civil law system, which prevails in Quebec. Civil law is a codification of laws stemming from ancient Rome.

1. Visit the Department of Justice Web site and briefly summarize the history of the Civil Code from ancient times to modern-day Canada.
   
   
2. To further investigate the following specific aspects of this system of law, access the Quebec Civil Code at the Web site for the Faculty of Law at the University of Montreal.
   
   
   • Read the "Preliminary Provisions." What kinds of laws make up the Quebec Civil Code?
   • Identify the area of law covered in the first seven books under the code. List these in the Quebec Civil Code Summary Chart, below. Click here to download the chart.
   • Access the articles identified for each book of the Code, as listed on the chart. Summarize the substance of these articles in the fourth column of the chart in one sentence each.