<p>Subsequent
contributions aim at discussing the scientific as well as the
practical perception and application of French, and particularly
Napoleonic law in 19th century Europe.</p>
<p>Even though the introduction
of the French codes - we are celebrating their bicentenary these
years- affected the individul countries differently, it was the
beginning of a new, decisive phase of legal life in each of them.</p>
<p>During the last years,
European science of history analysed the heritage of French law
in various studies. Nevertheless, many questions remain for discussion.
In particular, the concrete influence of French law on the origins
of contemporary European laws.</p>
<p>We did not intend to
achieve a common interpretation of the relation between Napoleonic
law and its 'offsprings'. Our more modest approach is to reassess,
or to deconstruct, single aspects of hitherto existing understandings.
In doing so, we would like to place particular emphasis on the
characteristics of the extension of French law.</p>
<p>Single
studies should reflect on the French law as a paradigm while looking
at necessary concrete historic findings, emphasising the difference
of perspectives and realisations.
</p><p>Dealing with this subject,
Forum Historiae Iuris wants to gain a common European viewpoint
by considering national characteristics threefoldly: personally
- legal historians research traditions which shaped their own
thinking-, perspectively - national traditions reflect the way
of looking at processes of perception and application -, methodically
- various methods of contemporary European legal history are considered.</p>
<p>In this sense, we address
our academic readers with the invitation to contribute to this
European dialogue.</p><p><br></p>