The Habsburg Family Statute as a Historical Forerunner of Family Constitutions
The Habsburg Family Statute as a Historical Forerunner of Family Constitutions

Summary/Abstract: Looking at the historical antecedents of family constitutions, the Habsburg Family Statute hardly differs from the family constitutions of today. In terms of its purpose and its system of rules, it is a clear predecessor and historical antecedent of today’s family constitutions. In general terms, it can therefore be said that the roots of today’s family constitutions are to be found in the noble and ruling families, despite the fact that the latter also contained public law provisions in addition to the predominantly private law provisions. This paper reviews the development, function and content of the Habsburg Family Statute on the basis of archival research.

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