German legal history

German legal history spans from medieval customary laws to the modern codification of laws. The Holy Roman Empire relied on localized customary laws, evolving through reforms like the 16th-century Reichskammergericht. The 19th century saw the creation of comprehensive civil codes, notably the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) in 1900, which unified legal principles. Post-World War II, Germany restructured its legal system under democratic principles, emphasizing constitutional law with the Grundgesetz in 1949, shaping contemporary governance and rights. Overall, German legal history reflects a progression toward systematic, codified, and democratic legal frameworks.