Legal Literature Organization and Research

Author: Zhang Boyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: This book is a study of legal historical documents, mainly including: the interpretation, selection, and theoretical research of unearthed legal historical documents; an in-depth analysis of systems such as land, culture, punishment, and inheritance based on legal texts; and the compilation of rare legal historical documents. Recently, the Institute of Legal Ancient Texts at our university compiled the book Legal Document Compilation and Research, which not only showcases their research achievements but also serves as a generous gift for the 25th anniversary of the reinstatement of East China University of Political Science and Law and the 18th anniversary of the establishment of our Institute of Legal Ancient Texts. In 1957, an article titled Emphasizing the Work of Compiling Legal Historical Documents (Li Gu) categorized legal documents as part of historical documents and elevated the work of compiling legal historical documents to the level of academic research. However, legal documents were truly recognized as a branch of historical documents and received attention from the National Ancient Texts Compilation Leading Group only after the establishment of specialized research institutes at China University of Political Science and Law and East China University of Political Science and Law 20 years ago. Works such as Annotations to the Tang Code and Annotations to the Criminal Records of Chinese Dynasties were published, marking the beginning of the compilation and research of legal historical documents, laying a foundation for the in-depth study of legal systems and legal cultural history, contributing to the inheritance and promotion of traditional legal culture, and providing historical materials and research basis for how traditional Chinese culture adapts to modern legal construction. Our Institute of Legal Ancient Texts is one of only two similar research institutions in the country, currently with 10 researchers (including part-time). Since merging with the School of Humanities, the institute has become more comprehensive in terms of researchers in literature, history, philosophy, and other fields, and the younger colleagues also possess strong research capabilities. The Institute of Legal Ancient Texts adheres to systematic research and development of "legal historical documents" as a discipline; studies ancient legal texts in conjunction with China's decades of archaeological discoveries and excavations; and compiles rare legal historical documents to fill gaps in the field. The above main contents are reflected in the book Legal Document Compilation and Research. The book includes 18 papers, primarily written by professors and scholars from the Institute of Legal Ancient Texts and the School of Humanities, supplemented by high-level academic papers contributed by professors from other universities and research institutions. The main research directions of our Institute of Legal Ancient Texts are three: First, the compilation and research of legal historical documents, focusing on the exploration and verification of these documents; second, the study of the relationship between Confucianism and legal culture, including aspects such as the relationship between rites and law, morality and law, and family systems and law; third, the compilation and utilization of modern Chinese legal documents. In modern Chinese history, with the opening of China by Western powers, new legal concepts accelerated the transformation of modern legal systems in China, making the study of modern Chinese legal documents unique. We should maintain and further promote these research characteristics. The Institute of Legal Ancient Texts has now been in existence for 18 years, and it is time for it to come of age. Currently, the compilation of historical legal documents has shifted from the mere compilation of historical documents to the combined compilation and research of historical documents and unearthed legal documents. The study of legal history requires us to broaden our horizons and dare to move to the forefront of legal historical document research. We sincerely hope that the Institute of Legal Ancient Texts, building on its existing achievements, will continue to strive for greater and more results.