The Vinodol Codex is the oldest text of Croatian medieval common law written in Chakavia dialect and in the old Croatian script – Glagolitsa. On January 6th, 1288, the Prince of Krk, Leonardo, and representatives of nine former town districts (Novi, Ledenice, Bribir, Grižane, Drivenik, Hreljin, Bakar, Grobnik and Trsat) met in Novi and signed the Codex. It defines the relationship between the princes of Krk and the people of Vinodol. Namely, in 1225 Vinodol had come under the jurisdiction of landed nobility of Krk in accordance with the deed of gift by Croatian-Hungarian king Andrew II. Free villagers had not wanted to become serfs, and this situation subsequently led to conflicts which lasted until 1288, when people of Vinodol accepted the authority of the princes and in return received certain concessions.

Although this Codex primarily protects interests of feudalists, it also contains novelties from various branches of law: direct, criminal and trial law. It is an imporant historical document of old Croatian common law which illuminates the feudalization process in Croatia and proves the high level of social development of the Vinodol area in the 13th century.