First of all, it is important to clearly define what ‘the rule of law’ is. The rule of law is a legal doctrine, according to which no one can be above the law, everyone is equal before the law, and no one can be punished except in the manner prescribed by law and only for its violation. The rule of law implies that all bylaws and enforcement acts are subject to and do not contradict the law. The rule of law requires that all normative legal acts and all activities of state power be subordinated to the protection of dignity, freedom, and human rights. Justinian recognized his legislation as complete and perfect, a single source of the legal life of the state for the future, with the elimination of all previous legal works and collections, not subject to any interpretation and dissemination, but only application. Also, one of the main purposes of low codification was to eliminate any contradictions present in regulations, rules, statutes, and edicts. In that terms, Justinian codification of the law can be considered the first step toward the establishment of the rule of law.
Moreover, when Justinian glorified his creation, many shortcomings in the text of his Code became clear to him and for his collaborators. A new commission was formed under the chairmanship of Tribonian. The text of the Code was carefully revised and amended, and many of Justinian’s own decrees were introduced in the years following the first edition. This text’ repetitive praelectionis’, i.e., the second revised edition, has been declared final and perfect. This also indicates the attempt of Justinian to eliminate any contradictions, which is one of the goals of ‘the rule of law.’