Legal systems can be very different from each other. Two main types are common law and civil law. These systems affect how laws are made, understood, and enforced.
Precedent: In common law places, past court decisions are important. These past rulings help shape future cases. This means the law grows and changes over time based on how courts interpret it.
Adversarial Process: The common law system is often competitive. Two sides present their cases to a judge or jury, who stay neutral. Lawyers play a key role by gathering evidence and making arguments.
Codification: Civil law systems depend a lot on written laws and codes. Laws are clearly written down and organized, which means judges mostly apply these laws rather than create them based on past cases.
Inquisitorial Process: In a civil law system, judges are more involved in looking into the facts of a case. They ask questions and lead the investigation, unlike in common law, where judges usually remain more passive.
In short, common law is based on past court decisions and involves a competitive approach. Civil law relies on written codes and has a more active role for judges. Understanding these differences is important for anyone studying law because they show how different countries seek to achieve justice in their own ways.
Legal systems can be very different from each other. Two main types are common law and civil law. These systems affect how laws are made, understood, and enforced.
Precedent: In common law places, past court decisions are important. These past rulings help shape future cases. This means the law grows and changes over time based on how courts interpret it.
Adversarial Process: The common law system is often competitive. Two sides present their cases to a judge or jury, who stay neutral. Lawyers play a key role by gathering evidence and making arguments.
Codification: Civil law systems depend a lot on written laws and codes. Laws are clearly written down and organized, which means judges mostly apply these laws rather than create them based on past cases.
Inquisitorial Process: In a civil law system, judges are more involved in looking into the facts of a case. They ask questions and lead the investigation, unlike in common law, where judges usually remain more passive.
In short, common law is based on past court decisions and involves a competitive approach. Civil law relies on written codes and has a more active role for judges. Understanding these differences is important for anyone studying law because they show how different countries seek to achieve justice in their own ways.