recopilacions

A recopilacion is a compilation or collection of laws. The term is of Spanish origin and has been used historically to refer to significant codifications of legal statutes in Spanish-speaking jurisdictions. These compilations aimed to organize and present existing laws in a systematic and accessible manner, often superseding prior, fragmented legislation.

The most famous example is the Recopilación de las Leyes de Indias, enacted in 1680. This extensive collection brought together all the laws governing the Spanish colonies in the Americas. Other significant recopilaciones include those produced in Spain itself, such as the Recopilación de leyes de Castilla. The purpose of such compilations was to achieve legal clarity, uniformity, and to assert royal authority over legal matters. They represent a crucial stage in the development of legal systems, moving from a series of disparate decrees to a more structured body of law. The practice of creating recopilaciones has influenced legal codification in various countries with a civil law tradition.