Ever wondered why legal systems differ across the globe? It often boils down to two main contenders: common law and civil law.
Think of common law, used in countries like the US and UK, as built on precedent. Judges play a significant role, interpreting laws and creating legal principles through their rulings. These past decisions, or 'stare decisis,' become binding guidelines for future cases.
Civil law, prevalent in much of continental Europe, relies heavily on codified statutes. Imagine a comprehensive legal code that spells out the rules. Judges primarily apply these pre-existing codes, with less emphasis on judicial precedent.
So, while common law evolves through judicial interpretation, civil law relies on a structured, codified system. Both systems aim for justice, but their approaches to achieving it are distinctly different!
