Understanding the different types of legal systems is crucial for comprehending the global legal environment. Common law, which relies on judicial decisions and precedents, is prevalent in countries such as the US, Canada, and India.
• Legal sys in communist countries + dictatorships
Bureaucratic law
• Based on: officially established rules governing faith + practice of a particular religion
• Theocracy: country that applies religious law to civil + criminal conduct
Civil law
• Based on: codification of what is + is not permissible
• Originated in biblical times with Romans
• Reinforced by French Napoleonic code
• Judge determnes scope of evidence collected + presented
• Egypt’s legal sys – a blend of English common law, French Napoleonic code + Islamic Law
Common law
• Based on: wisdom of judges decisions on individual cases through legal
• Cases: create legal precedents
• Countries use common law:
US, Canada, AUC, India, NZ, Barbados, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Mlysia
