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Abstract: The transition between 15th and 16th century was one of the most intense periods of institutional change in Castilian and Spanish history. The impact of institutional changes affected all spheres (administration, society and economy) and boosted important activities such as commerce and finances. The development and the improvement of legislation , together with the institutional reform of notaries and civil justice, demonstrate how the combination of institutional changes was profitable for the major part of Castile. The present article aims at showing the bases of these reform and its relation with the economic performance. The main objective is to analyze to what extent law, notaries and civil-royal justice exerted influence over the improvement of property rights and contract enforcement. In addition, these topics must be understood within a social and cultural framework ruled by moral principles that, in concordance with the reforms, made possible the assimilation of institutional changes by Castilians and foreigners, which favored the intense economic growth until the second half of the 16th century.

Keywords: Institutional Reforms; Justice; Law; Notaries; Castile