Hierarchy of Laws

1. Divine Law

2. Natural Law - Ius gentium

3. Positive Law (Ius positivum)

4. Custom

Köln, Erzbischöfliche Diözesan- und Dombibliothek 127, fol. 9r

More Excerpts from Gratian's Tractatus de legibus

The role of consent in the jurisprudence of legislation and government in the Ius commune

Three Principles of Legislation:

Quod principi placuit and Princeps legibus solutus est (Roman Law)

Quod omnes tangit ab omnibus approbari debet (What touches all must be approved by all) Canon Law

D.12 c.6:  Long standing usages approved by the consent of those following them are like ordinances.

D.1 c.8:  Civil law is what each people and each commonwealth establishes as its own law, for divine or human reasons.

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