The code was widely influenced by France, and continuously shaped by the British legal system.
The origins of the Egyptian penal code date back to the period of time known as the Pharaonic Era or Ancient Egypt.
This code relied heavily on the principles of revenge, and used the idea of "self-protection" as justification for retaliation and punishment.
[5] The Othman Penal Code of 1858 was widely used by Arab Countries under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
[3] Additionally, it served as a foundation for the creation of new penal codes in Arab Countries including Egypt.
Even before Egypt separated from the Ottoman Empire and became an independent state, it had already started passing its own laws and procedures.
Egypt continuously developed new laws and adjustments to the legal system including the penal code.
Given the growing influence of Great Britain, the commission decided to adept the code closer in line with English Criminal Law.
[6] The draft was divided into four parts dealing with different types of offenses, and it increased the number of articles.
[7] This penal code is divided in four broad sections called "Books" which have subdivisions that address specific topics.
This means which people are subject of the rule of the code, where can their crimes be prosecuted, and which courts are in charge of specific issues and matters.
Based on that principle, the state has the right to punish those who commit acts that negatively affect society and in doing so violate the law.
[2] Currently, criminal law has evolved into a form of protection for the citizenry and as a way to maintain the peace of the state.
Egypt is different from other parts of the world due to its location as a meeting point between the West and East.