The Code Napoléon, officially known as the Napoleonic Code, was enacted to establish a uniform set of laws across France, which had previously been governed by a mixture of local laws, customs, and feudal privileges. The work of jurists and legal experts under the direction of Napoleon Bonaparte, this codification was incredibly significant as it abolished feudal privileges and established the principles of legal equality and individual rights. Its publication on March 21, 1804, represented a monumental shift in French law, seeking to replace the patchwork of pre-existing laws with coherent and accessible legislation. The code consisted of 2,281 articles divided into three parts covering persons, property, and civil procedures. It emphasized civil laws governing contracts, family relations, and property, thereby providing a legal framework that was clear and concise. Moreover, it stipulated that laws should be publicly known, rejecting the secrecy of former legal practices. As a result of its clarity, many countries in Europe and around the world were influenced by the principles laid out in the Code Napoléon, as it became a model for legal systems in various jurisdictions, especially in civil law countries.