Not satisfied with the current Louisiana Civil Code references available online, the guys at Oak & Tower went about building one that better suited their needs. CivilCo.de is a great tool for both law students and legal practitioners, featuring a polished interface, the ability to display article ranges, and a way to search for occurrences of specific words or phrases. It should be noted, however, that because it employs bleeding edge web technologies, it will likely not display or function properly in older browsers – we're looking at you, Internet Explorer. Please, browse responsibly. Also, if you notice a mistake, or have any suggestions, please send them to feedback@civilco.de.
Articles last updated February 23, 2011.
The sources of law are legislation and custom.
Legislation is a solemn expression of legislative will.
Custom results from practice repeated for a long time and generally accepted as having acquired the force of law. Custom may not abrogate legislation.
When no rule for a particular situation can be derived from legislation or custom, the court is bound to proceed according to equity. To decide equitably, resort is made to justice, reason, and prevailing usages.
No one may avail himself of ignorance of the law.
In the absence of contrary legislative expression, substantive laws apply prospectively only. Procedural and interpretative laws apply both prospectively and retroactively, unless there is a legislative expression to the contrary.
Persons may not by their juridical acts derogate from laws enacted for the protection of the public interest. Any act in derogation of such laws is an absolute nullity.
Laws are repealed, either entirely or partially, by other laws.
A repeal may be express or implied. It is express when it is literally declared by a subsequent law. It is implied when the new law contains provisions that are contrary to, or irreconcilable with, those of the former law.
The repeal of a repealing law does not revive the first law.
When a law is clear and unambiguous and its application does not lead to absurd consequences, the law shall be applied as written and no further interpretation may be made in search of the intent of the legislature.
When the language of the law is susceptible of different meanings, it must be interpreted as having the meaning that best conforms to the purpose of the law.
The words of a law must be given their generally prevailing meaning.
Words of art and technical terms must be given their technical meaning when the law involves a technical matter.
When the words of a law are ambiguous, their meaning must be sought by examining the context in which they occur and the text of the law as a whole.
Laws on the same subject matter must be interpreted in reference to each other.
Your use of this website is subject to our Terms of Use.