New black Code or catalogue of the laws, ordinances, decrees and ministerial decrees regarding the status of slaves.
Louis-Philippe. 5th January 1840

The ‘New black code’ was the title given to the collection of legal decisions that greatly modified the provisions of the ‘black code’. They were drawn up in France under the July monarchy before slavery was abolished

These texts were never issued in the form of a true legal code, but they modified it to the extent that they were given this specific title. In actual fact, the legislation issued under Louis-Philippe was far more favourable for slaves for two main reasons: first, the slave was recognised as a subject having a number of rights and also, his condition was made less severe.


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