Among the theories that argue the code's indifference with the imperial succession, a theory that it is a law to establish the regent of the Fujiwara clan, theory that it is a law to establish an imperial autocrat similar to that of the emperors in the Sui and Tang periods, and the theory that it is a norm that establishes the imperial family's successive rule, can be found.
皇位継承と無関係とするものには、藤原氏が天皇家を輔佐することを定めた法だとする説、天皇を隋唐の皇帝のような専制君主と定めた法だとする説、天皇家が代々統治する原則を定めたとする皇統君臨説などがある。