The Catholic Church utilizes the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the West,[1] much later than Roman law but predating the evolution of modern European civil law traditions. The history of Latin canon law can be divided into four periods: the jus antiquum, the jus novum, the jus novissimum and the Code of Canon Law.[2] In relation to the Code, history can be divided into the jus vetus (all law before the Code) and the jus novum (the law of the Code, or jus codicis).[2] Eastern canon law developed separately.
- ^ Edward N. Peters, CanonLaw.info, accessed Jul-1-2013
- ^ a b Manual of Canon Law, p. 13, #8