The Dutch Penal Code was promulgated on March 3, 1881, andtook effect on September 1, 1886. Its translation was madedifficult by the conceptual differences between civil lawand common law systems, and by the many recent changesin the Code. Originally, the Code was translated as itstood in August 1986, 100 years after it took effect.Subsequently, it has been updated to cover a period inwhich legislation replaced or amended over 200 articles.