Codification is the process of compiling rules and laws into an orderly, formal code. The code is a systematic compilation of existing laws to be included in a legislative statute. It is a compilation of all the laws in force, including the enacted laws and case law, covering a complete legal system or a specific area. A code can make the formulation of legal principles and rules more concise, clear, and thorough, so that people can understand the rules more quickly and comprehensively.
Many states publish official codes of all existing laws, which are compiled by code commissions and enacted by the legislature. The United States Code (USC) is a compilation of federal law, and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a collection of commercial law.
A code usually covers the complete rules of a particular area, such as civil or criminal law. The law itself is formulated and published in the form of a code.
[Last updated in August of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]