Historical development of Iraqi law

Iraqi law traces its roots back to the oldest codified laws in history, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Code of Hammurabi in the Sumerian and Babylonian eras, placing Iraq at the forefront of legal civilizations.

In the modern era, the Iraqi legal system began to be established after the formation of the Iraqi state in 1921. Many laws were derived from French civil law and Egyptian law, while emphasizing respect for the provisions of Islamic law, particularly in matters of personal status.

The most prominent legislative phases include:

The royal era (1921–1958): This witnessed the promulgation of basic laws such as the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The post-1958 period: This period was marked by the issuance of Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959, which was considered a watershed in the history of social legislation.

The post-2003 period: Iraq witnessed radical amendments, including the adoption of the Iraqi Constitution of 2005, which established a democratic system and human rights as fundamental principles.