Dušan's Code
| Dušan's Code Душанов законик | |
|---|---|
Prizren Manuscript of Dušan's Code, 15th century | |
| Created | 1349 |
| Author(s) | Serbian Emperor Stefan Dušan |
| Purpose | Constitution (Code) |
Dušan's Code (Serbian: Душанов законик, romanized: Dušanov zakonik, known historically as Закон благовјернаго цара Стефана – Law of the pious Emperor Stefan) is a compilation of several legal systems that was enacted by Stefan Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia in 1349. It drew upon Roman law, Byzantine law, as well as elements of customary and canon law. It was used in the Serbian Empire and the succeeding Serbian Despotate. It is considered an early constitution, or close to it; an advanced set of laws which regulated all aspects of life such as family relations, property rights, contracts, and crimes.