The Legal System of the Vatican City State

The Vatican City State's legal system demonstrates a unique form of 'legal transplants,' where norms from religious, Italian, European Union, and international law are creatively integrated to form a distinct legal framework. This study reveals that the reception of law in the Vatican is characterized by the selective borrowing and adaptation of diverse legal sources, including canon law and secular norms, which sets it apart from other examples of legal transplantation, such as EU law implementation in member states. The research analyzes how the confessional nature of the Vatican influences its legal norms and explores whether this mechanism could be applied in secular states. By examining the jurisprudence of Vatican courts and legislative practices, the study highlights the dynamic interplay between religious and secular legal principles.

Dyda, K. (2025). The Legal System of the Vatican City State. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003597063