We are a Mexican library and are concerned about how to apply 340 in DDC. We want to use the 340 for Roman law, as used in Latin American countries, but in DDC 340 seems to be used just for Anglo-American law. How are we going to classify Roman law? It is a problem for us because they are two different systems. Can we combine both systems?

I believe that, when you ask about "Roman law," you are referring to what is usually called "civil law" (340.56), in contrast to what we call "common law" (the system of law used in most English-speaking areas, 340.57). Although civil law is derived from Roman law (340.54), the latter can be discussed as a distinct system. The numbers in 340.5 are used for comprehensive works on each system considered as a system, and 340.5 without subdivisions is used for comparative works on systems of law. A general book on law that does not emphasize a given system of law is classed in 340 without subdivision.

The comprehensive works on the law of any given jurisdiction or area, however, are classed in 349 under the notation for the jurisdiction or area, regardless of the system or systems that may be used. For example, a work on civil law in Latin America is classed in 349.8, the final 8 being notation 8 from Table 2 that identifies either South America or Latin America as a whole. Similarly, a specific topic in law is classed with the topic in 342-347, where notation is added to indicate the jurisdiction or area, if appropriate. For example, criminal law regardless of system is classed in 345, and a work on criminal law in Latin America is classed in 345.8.

Both civil and common law cover all topics in law, and likewise our schedule is designed to cover all topics in law. Because of its American origin, the DDC sometimes provides a better fit for topics in common law than in civil law. However, as a result of comments and suggestions from our translators in civil law countries, we are working on our law schedule to make sure that Edition 22, which will be published in 2003, has clear provision for topics in civil law that we may have previously overlooked. We are also working on a long-term project with a group of libraries involved in selected translations to improve the law schedule for use in civil law countries.

Last revised: 05 September 2003