Final answer:
Codification is the process of forming a legal code, and the first person to do this in what is now Iraq was Hammurabi, who created the Code of Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. This set of laws included principles such as the presumption of innocence and proportional punishment ('an eye for an eye').
Step-by-step explanation:
Codification refers to the process of collecting and restating the law of a jurisdiction in certain areas, usually by subject, forming a legal code.
One of the earliest known occurrences of codification in present-day Iraq was done by Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, ruling from 1792 to 1750 BCE. He famously created the Code of Hammurabi, a set of laws inscribed on an impressive stele which encompassed various aspects of civil conduct, penalties, and justice measures within the Babylonian Empire. In this legal codex, one can discover principles that have influenced legal systems throughout the centuries, including the presumption of innocence and the requirement for evidence in criminal cases.
Indeed, Hammurabi's code was a monumental accomplishment in the standardization of laws. The hallmark 'eye for an eye' justice system, also inscribed in the code, showcases the Babylonian approach to proportional punishment. The Code covered various areas such as inheritance, business transactions, and property damage, illustrating a comprehensive attempt to govern all aspects of daily life. This codification of laws served as a prototype for subsequent legal systems and set a precedent for future legal structures, marking a significant milestone in the history of law.