Civil law is a legal system in which comprehensive written codes, rather than judicial precedent, are the primary source of law, with courts interpreting and applying the code rather than making binding law of their own. The tradition traces its intellectual roots to ancient Roman law, especially its sixth century compilation under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, the Corpus Juris Civilis, rediscovered and studied intensively in medieval European universities from the eleventh century onward, and took its modern codified form in the national civil codes enacted across Europe from the early nineteenth century, most influentially the Napoleonic Code of 1804. It is the most widespread legal system in the world today by number of jurisdictions, covering most of continental Europe, Latin America, and large parts of Africa and Asia.
Facts
Disputed
Origin Year1804, the enactment of the Napoleonic Code, is taken here as the origin of the modern codified civil law tradition, since it was the model most widely adopted or adapted by other nations. The tradition intellectual roots are far older, tracing to Roman law and particularly to Justinian own sixth century Corpus Juris Civilis, so which date counts as origin depends on whether the Roman legal inheritance or its modern codified form is meant. Example JurisdictionsFrance, Germany, Italy, Spain, most of continental Europe, Latin America, and large parts of Africa and Asia. 2 Primary Source of LawComprehensive written codes and statutes, with case law playing a secondary, interpretive role. 3 Classification
Legal Family Civil Law
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Includes
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Brazil, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Cote d'Ivoire, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source World Legal Systems, alphabetical index (JuriGlobe)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Cambodia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source World Legal Systems, alphabetical index (JuriGlobe)
Source Civil Code of the Empire of Ethiopia, 1960 (WIPO Lex)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Madagascar, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: El Salvador, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Guinea, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Honduras, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Kyrgyzstan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Liechtenstein, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Madagascar, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Mali, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Moldova, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Monaco, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Nicaragua, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: San Marino, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Senegal, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Suriname, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Tajikistan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Source Central Intelligence Agency: Taiwan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Showing 51 to 100 of 392 in Includes, page 2 of 8.
Held Differently
Why this is disputed. The CJEU is a supranational court whose case law draws heavily on continental civil law method and whose member states are mostly civil law jurisdictions, but EU law itself is often described by comparative scholars as a distinct legal order rather than a member of any single one of the five traditions; the civil law classification here reflects the Court's dominant working method, not a claim that EU law is simply continental civil law.
Source The Oxford Handbook of Comparative LawMathias Reimann and Reinhard Zimmermann, editors
Habeas Corpus, Doctrines Civil law systems generally provide analogous judicial protection against arbitrary detention through differently named procedures rather than through habeas corpus as such.
Source Habeas Corpus (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
Judicial Review, Doctrines Civil law jurisdictions generally exercise constitutional review through a single dedicated constitutional court rather than diffusing it across the ordinary judiciary as the United States does, a different account of the same underlying power rather than a rejection of it.
Mens Rea, Doctrines Civil law systems reach a broadly comparable result through the distinct concepts of dol (intent) and culpa (fault) rather than through mens rea as such, a different account of criminal culpability rather than a rejection of it.
Source Mens Rea (Wikipedia)
M'Naghten Rules, Doctrines Civil law systems generally excuse a mentally disordered defendant through their own non-responsibility provisions (for example Article 122-1 of the French Penal Code), a differently framed doctrine reaching a broadly similar result rather than the M'Naghten test itself.
Source M'Naghten Rules (Wikipedia)
Rule of Law, Doctrines Civil law systems generally express the rule of law through the Rechtsstaat tradition and codified principles of legality rather than through the common law rule of law as such.
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Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Civil law
Civil law (legal system), or continental law, a legal system originating in continental Europe and based on Roman lawView the Source 2. Major Legal Systems in the World Today
Rene David and John E.C. Brierley, Stevens and Sons, 1985- Example Jurisdictions: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, most of continental Europe, Latin America, and large parts of Africa and Asia.
- Origin Year: 1804
3. An Introduction to Comparative Law
Konrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1998- Primary Source of Law: Comprehensive written codes and statutes, with case law playing a secondary, interpretive role.
The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law
Mathias Reimann and Reinhard Zimmermann, editors, Oxford University Press, 2006- Includes: Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
- Includes: Administrative Law
- Includes: Proportionality
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.- Includes: Hugo Grotius
- Includes: Andres Bello
- Includes: Dalmacio Velez Sarsfield
View the Source Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China (Wikipedia)
Abuse of Law (Max Planck Encyclopedia of European Private Law)
Rechtsstaat (Wikipedia)
REACH, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (EUR-Lex)
Publications Office of the European UnionIncludes: REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)View the Source Montesquieu (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Separation of Powers, Lead paragraph - in-legal-system civil-lawQuote, Includes: Separation of Powers, Lead paragraph - in-legal-system civil-law
a French jurist, historian, and political philosopher
View the Source Law of France (Wikipedia)
M'Naghten Rules (Wikipedia)
Stare Decisis (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
Includes: Precedent (Stare Decisis)
Mens Rea (Wikipedia)
Habeas Corpus (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School)
Civil Code of the Empire of Ethiopia, 1960 (WIPO Lex)
Includes: Civil Code of Ethiopia (1960)
Contempt of court (Wikipedia)
Includes: Contempt of court, Article textQuote, Includes: Contempt of court, Article text
Judges in common law systems usually have more extensive power to declare someone in contempt than judges in civil law systems.
View the Source Contract (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Contract Law, Article textQuote, Includes: Contract Law, Article text
contract law is exercised and governed either under common law jurisdictions, civil law jurisdictions, or mixed-law jurisdictions that combine elements of both common and civil law.
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Kosovo, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitutional Court of Kosovo, Government - Legal systemQuote, Includes: Constitutional Court of Kosovo, Government - Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Tort (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Tort Law, Lead sectionQuote, Includes: Tort Law, Lead section
While tort law in civil law jurisdictions largely derives from Roman law, common law jurisdictions derive their tort law from customary English tort law.
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: France, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Michel Debré, Government, Legal system
civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts
Includes: Philippe Bas, Government: Legal system
civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts
Includes: Alain Juppe, Government: Legal system
civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts
Includes: Laurent Fabius, Government: Legal system
civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts
View the Source JuriGlobe World Legal Systems: Alphabetical Index of the Political Entities and Corresponding Legal Systems
JuriGlobe World Legal SystemsIncludes: Antonie Iorgovan, Romania entry
ROMANIA Civil law
Includes: Jovan Hadžić, Serbia entry
SERBIA Civil law
Legal system of Macau (Wikipedia)
Legal Family Of: Legal system of Macau, Lead
Macau law is broadly based on Portuguese law, and therefore part of the civil law tradition of continental European legal systems.
Includes: Legal system of Macau, Lead
Macau law is broadly based on Portuguese law, and therefore part of the civil law tradition of continental European legal systems.
View the SourceWorld Legal Systems, alphabetical index (JuriGlobe)
JuriGlobe World Legal Systems Research Group, University of OttawaIncludes: Shirin Ebadi, Index of states, Iran
Muslim/Civil law
Includes: Adhémar Esmein, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Carlo Francesco Gabba, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Contardo Ferrini, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Emerico Amari, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Édouard René de Laboulaye, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Ernst Immanuel Bekker, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Joseph Louis Elzéar Ortolan, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Andreas Frederik Krieger, Alphabetical list, Denmark
DENMARK ( DK ) Civil law
Includes: Otto Mejer, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Eugène Ortolan, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Carlo Biotti, Index of states, Italy
Civil law
Includes: Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Index of states, Turkey
Civil law
Includes: Simone Veil, Index of states, France
Civil law
Includes: Giuliano Amato, Index of states, Italy
Civil law
Includes: Giuseppe Conte, Index of states, Italy
Civil law
Includes: Pridi Banomyong, Index of states, Thailand
Civil law
Includes: Sergio Mattarella, Index of states, Italy
Civil law
Includes: Rasmus Carl Stæger, Alphabetical list, Denmark
DENMARK ( DK ) Civil law
Includes: Christian Pløyen, Alphabetical list, Denmark
DENMARK ( DK ) Civil law
Includes: Peter Franz Ignaz Deiters, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Carlo Bon Compagni di Mombello, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Andreas Aagesen, Alphabetical list, Denmark
DENMARK ( DK ) Civil law
Includes: Otto von Oehlschläger, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Adolphe de Chambrun, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Sebastiaan Matheus Sigismund de Ranitz, Alphabetical list, Netherlands
NETHERLANDS ( NL ) Civil law
Includes: Jules Liégeois, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Jacob Friedrich Behrend, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Franz August Schenk von Stauffenberg, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Anthony Modderman, Alphabetical list, Netherlands
NETHERLANDS ( NL ) Civil law
Includes: Rudolf Arnold Nieberding, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Willem Anthony Engelbrecht, Alphabetical list, Netherlands
NETHERLANDS ( NL ) Civil law
Includes: Charles de Franqueville, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Hendrik Jacob Hamaker, Alphabetical list, Netherlands
NETHERLANDS ( NL ) Civil law
Includes: Georges Hilaire Bousquet, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Luigi Miraglia, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Geoffroi Jacques Flach, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Ugo Sorani, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Camillo Finocchiaro Aprile, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Émile Garçon, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Paul von Krause, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Carlo Fadda, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Karl von Lilienthal, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Biagio Brugi, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Reinhard Frank, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Wolfgang Heine, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Hugo Haase, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Carlo Schanzer, Alphabetical list, Italy
ITALY Civil law
Includes: Eugène Wilhelm, Alphabetical list, France
FRANCE ( FR ) Civil law
Includes: Friedrich Ackermann, Alphabetical list, Germany
GERMANY Civil law
Includes: Marko Bošnjak (judge), Alphabetical index, slovenia
SLOVENIA
Civil law
View the Source Ludovico Barassi (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ludovico Barassi, Lead, civil lawQuote, Includes: Ludovico Barassi, Lead, civil law
one of Italy's leading authorities on civil law
View the Source Victor D'Hondt (Wikipedia)
Includes: Victor D'Hondt, LeadQuote, Includes: Victor D'Hondt, Lead
jurist of civil law at Ghent University
View the Source Guido Panciroli (Wikipedia)
Includes: Guido Panciroli, Biography, civil law chairQuote, Includes: Guido Panciroli, Biography, civil law chair
teaching in civil law and receiving a very healthy salary of 1000 scudi
View the Source Alberto Bolognetti (Wikipedia)
Includes: Alberto Bolognetti, BiographyQuote, Includes: Alberto Bolognetti, Biography
He was a professor of civil law at the studium of Bologna
View the Source Francesco Alciati (Wikipedia)
Includes: Francesco Alciati, BiographyQuote, Includes: Francesco Alciati, Biography
was appointed professor of civil law at the university of Pavia
View the Source Antoine Dadin de Hauteserre (Wikipedia)
Includes: Antoine Dadin de Hauteserre, BiographyQuote, Includes: Antoine Dadin de Hauteserre, Biography
distinguished himself in civil and canon law
View the Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Legal Family Of: Legal System of Cuba, Section: Civil law
Cuba
Legal Family Of: Legal System of Vietnam, Section: Civil law
Vietnam
Legal Family Of: Law of Spain, Section: Civil law
Spain
Legal Family Of: Law of Ethiopia, Section: Civil law
Ethiopia
Legal Family Of: Law of Greece, Section: Civil law
Greece
Legal Family Of: Law of Colombia, Section: Civil law
Colombia
Legal Family Of: Law of Iceland, Section: Civil law
Iceland
Legal Family Of: Law of Austria, Section: Civil law
Austria
Legal Family Of: Law of Estonia, Section: Civil law
Estonia
Legal Family Of: Law of Bolivia, Section: Civil law
Bolivia
Legal Family Of: Law of Ecuador, Section: Civil law
Ecuador
Legal Family Of: Law of Paraguay, Section: Civil law
Paraguay
Legal Family Of: Law of Lebanon, Section: Civil law
Lebanon
Legal Family Of: Law of Mongolia, Section: Civil law
Mongolia
Legal Family Of: Law of Slovenia, Section: Civil law
Slovenia
Legal Family Of: Law of Andorra, Section: Civil law
Andorra
Legal Family Of: Law of Timor-Leste, Section: Civil law
Timor-Leste
Legal Family Of: Law of Armenia, Section: Civil law
Armenia
Legal Family Of: Law of the Dominican Republic, Section: Civil law
Dominican Republic
Legal Family Of: Law of Angola, Section: Civil law
Angola
Legal Family Of: Law of Belarus, Section: Civil law
Belarus
Legal Family Of: Law of Benin, Section: Civil law
Benin
Legal Family Of: Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Section: Civil law
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal Family Of: Law of Burkina Faso, Section: Civil law
Burkina Faso
Legal Family Of: Law of Cabo Verde, Section: Civil law
Cape Verde
Legal Family Of: Law of the Central African Republic, Section: Civil law
Central African Republic
Legal Family Of: Law of Chad, Section: Civil law
Chad
Legal Family Of: Law of the Republic of the Congo, Section: Civil law
Republic of the Congo
Legal Family Of: Law of Costa Rica, Section: Civil law
Costa Rica
Legal Family Of: Law of Cote d'Ivoire, Section: Civil law
Ivory Coast
Legal Family Of: Law of Gabon, Section: Civil law
Gabon
Legal Family Of: Law of Georgia (country), Section: Civil law
Georgia
Legal Family Of: Law of Guatemala, Section: Civil law
Guatemala
Legal Family Of: Law of Guinea-Bissau, Section: Civil law
Guinea-Bissau
Legal Family Of: Law of Haiti, Section: Civil law
Haiti
Legal Family Of: Law of Vietnam, Section: Civil law
Vietnam
Legal Family Of: Law of North Macedonia, Section: Civil law
North Macedonia
Legal Family Of: Law of Mozambique, Section: Civil law
Mozambique
Legal Family Of: Law of Uzbekistan, Section: Civil law
Uzbekistan
Legal Family Of: Law of Montenegro, Section: Civil law
Montenegro
Legal Family Of: Law of Syria, National legal systems table, Syria
Based on Napoleonic civil law.
View the SourceGeneral State Laws for the Prussian States (Wikipedia)
Includes: General State Laws for the Prussian States, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: General State Laws for the Prussian States, Wikipedia lead sentence
The code had over 17,000 articles, and covered fields of civil law, penal law, family law, public law, administrative law etc.
View the Source Usufruct (Wikipedia)
Includes: Usufruct, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Usufruct, Wikipedia lead sentence
fructus) is a limited real right (or in rem right) found in civil law and mixed jurisdictions that unites the two property interests of usus and fr
View the Source Hypothec (Wikipedia)
Includes: Hypothec, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Hypothec, Wikipedia lead sentence
hypothēkē), sometimes tacit hypothec, is a term used in civil law systems (e.g. the law of most of Continental Europe) to refer to a registered
View the Source Synallagmatic contract (Wikipedia)
Includes: Synallagmatic contract, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Synallagmatic contract, Wikipedia lead sentence
In civil law systems, a synallagmatic contract is a contract in which each party to the contract is bound to provide something to the other party
View the Source Legal good (Wikipedia)
Includes: Legal good, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Legal good, Wikipedia lead sentence
In the civil law tradition, a legal good is an interest or right that the legal system protects
View the Source Obrogation (Wikipedia)
Includes: Obrogation, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Obrogation, Wikipedia lead sentence
In civil law, obrogation (Latin: obrogat from obrogare) is the modification or repeal of a law in whole or in part by issuing a new law
View the Source Patrimony of affectation (Wikipedia)
Includes: Patrimony of affectation, Wikipedia lead sentenceQuote, Includes: Patrimony of affectation, Wikipedia lead sentence
In certain civil law jurisdictions (e.g., France, Quebec, Mexico, etc.), the patrimoine d'affectation is property, assets, or a legal estate that can
View the Source Servitude in civil law (Wikipedia)
Includes: Servitude in civil law, IntroductionQuote, Includes: Servitude in civil law, Introduction
At civil law, ownership (dominium) (e.g.
View the Source Matrimonial regime (Wikipedia)
Includes: Matrimonial regime, IntroductionQuote, Includes: Matrimonial regime, Introduction
Matrimonial regimes are applied either by operation of law or by way of prenuptial agreement in civil-law countries, and depend on the lex domicilii of the spouses at the time of or immediately following the wedding.
View the Source Usucaption (Wikipedia)
Includes: Usucaption, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Usucaption, Lead paragraph
Usucaption (Latin: usucapio), also known as acquisitive prescription, is a concept found in civil law systems and has its origin in the Roman law of property.
View the Source Inquisitorial system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Inquisitorial system, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Inquisitorial system, Lead paragraph
Inquisitorial systems are used primarily in countries with civil legal systems, such as France and Italy, or legal systems based on Islamic law like Saudi Arabia, rather than in common law systems.
View the Source Jurisprudence constante (Wikipedia)
Includes: Jurisprudence constante, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Jurisprudence constante, Lead paragraph
This doctrine is recognized in most civil law jurisdictions as well as in certain mixed jurisdictions such as Louisiana.
View the Source Saisine (Wikipedia)
Includes: Saisine, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Saisine, Lead paragraph
This principle is notably prevalent in civil law jurisdictions, such as France, Germany and Quebec.
View the Source Contravention (Wikipedia)
Includes: Contravention, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Contravention, Lead paragraph
In civil law, a contravention is a lesser offense, similar to an infraction or civil penalty in common law countries.
View the Source Legitime (Wikipedia)
Includes: Legitime, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Legitime, Lead paragraph
In civil law and Roman law, the legitime (legitima portio), also known as a forced share or legal right share, of a decedent's estate is that portion of the estate from which they cannot disinherit their children, or their parents, without sufficient legal cause.
View the Source Actio libera in causa (Wikipedia)
Includes: Actio libera in causa, LeadQuote, Includes: Actio libera in causa, Lead
Actio libera in causa (frequently abbreviated as a.l.i.c., Latin for "action free in its cause") is a law principle in a typical Western law system (both common law and civil law).
View the Source Legal origins theory (Wikipedia)
Includes: Legal origins theory, LeadQuote, Includes: Legal origins theory, Lead
The legal origins theory claims that the two main legal traditions or origins, civil law and common law, crucially shape lawmaking and dispute adjudication and have not been reformed after the initial exogenous transplantation by Europeans.
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Honduras, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Honduras, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Wagner Vallecillo, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Rebeca Raquel Obando, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Supreme Court of Honduras, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: El Salvador, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of El Salvador, Government: Legal system
civil law system with minor common law influence
Includes: Henry Alexander Mejia, Government: Legal system
civil law system with minor common law influence; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
Includes: Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador, Government, legal system
civil law system with minor common law influence;
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Nicaragua, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Nicaragua, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Supreme Court of Justice of Nicaragua, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Alba Luz Ramos, Government: Legal system
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Includes: Ana Julia Guido Ochoa, Government: Legal system
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Suriname, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Suriname, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law
Includes: Iwan Rasoelbaks, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law
Includes: High Court of Justice of Suriname, Government, legal system, legal system of Suriname
civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Senegal, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Senegal, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on French law
Includes: Youssoupha Ndiaye, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on French law; Constitutional Council reviews legislative acts
Includes: Supreme Court of Senegal, Government, legal system
civil law system based on French law; Constitutional Council reviews legislative acts
Includes: Constitutional Council of Senegal, Government, legal system
civil law system based on French law; Constitutional Council reviews legislative acts
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Madagascar, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Madagascar, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation
Includes: Claudette Sophia Ramanankavana, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation
Includes: Supreme Court of Madagascar, Government, legal system
civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Liechtenstein, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Liechtenstein, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law
Includes: Supreme Court of Liechtenstein, Government, legal system
civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Turkmenistan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Turkmenistan, Government: Legal system
civil law system with Islamic (sharia) law influences
Includes: Supreme Court of Turkmenistan, Government, legal system, legal system of Turkmenistan
civil law system with Islamic (sharia) law influences
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Tajikistan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Tajikistan, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Rustam Mirzozoda, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Supreme Court of Tajikistan, Government, legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Kyrgyzstan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, Government: Legal system
civil law system that includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
Includes: Mederbek Satyev, Government: Legal system
civil law system that includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
Includes: Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan, Government, legal system
civil law system that includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
Includes: Constitutional Court of Kyrgyzstan, Government, legal system
civil law system that includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Guinea, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Guinea, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French model
Includes: Fatoumata Yarie Soumah, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French model
Includes: Supreme Court of Guinea, Government, legal system
civil law system based on the French model
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Mali, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Mali, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law
Includes: Manassa Danioko, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts
Includes: Constitutional Court of Mali, Government, legal system
civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law;
Includes: Supreme Court of Mali, Government, legal system
civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law;
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Moldova, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Moldova, Government: Legal system
civil law system with Germanic law influences
Includes: Domnica Manole, Government: Legal system
civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts
Includes: Constitutional Court of Moldova, Government: Legal system
civil law system with Germanic law influences
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Monaco, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of Monaco, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by French legal tradition
Includes: Supreme Court of Monaco, Government, legal system
civil law system influenced by French legal tradition
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: San Marino, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of San Marino, Government: Legal system
civil law system with Italian civil law influences
Includes: Council of Twelve of San Marino, Government, legal system
civil law system with Italian civil law influences
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Taiwan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Constitution of the Republic of China, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Supreme Court of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Judicial Yuan, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Hsu Tzong-li, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Kazakhstan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyLegal Family Of: Law of Kazakhstan, Government: Legal systemQuote, Legal Family Of: Law of Kazakhstan, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and by the theory and practice of the Russian Federation
View the Source Non ultra petita (Wikipedia)
Includes: Non ultra petita, LeadQuote, Includes: Non ultra petita, Lead
The principle is a traditional basis of the rules of procedure governing civil and administrative litigation in continental legal systems, and in public international law.
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Serbia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Miroljub Tomic, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Miroljub Tomic, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Bhutan, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Norbu Tshering, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Norbu Tshering, Government: Legal system
civil law based on Buddhist religious law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Brazil, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: André Mendonça, Government: Legal system
civil law
Includes: Carmen Lucia, Government: Legal system
civil law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Portugal, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Joao Cura Mariano, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Joao Cura Mariano, Government: Legal system
civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Democratic Republic of the Congo, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Marcel Lihau, Government: Legal system
civil law system primarily based on Belgian law, but also customary and tribal law
Includes: Nicolas Bayona Ba Meya, Government: Legal system
civil law system primarily based on Belgian law, but also customary and tribal law
Includes: Elie-Leon Ndomba Kabeya, Government: Legal system
civil law system primarily based on Belgian law, but also customary and tribal law
Includes: Court of Cassation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Government, legal system
civil law system primarily based on Belgian law
Includes: Supreme Court of Justice of Zaire, Government, legal system
civil law system primarily based on Belgian law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Turkey, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Furuzan Ikincioullari, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Furuzan Ikincioullari, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on various European systems, notably the Swiss civil code
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Estonia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Villu Kove, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Villu Kove, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Germany, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Udo Steiner, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Astrid Wallrabenstein, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Dieter Grimm, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Holger Wöckel, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Henning Radtke, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Martin Eifert, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Miriam Meßling, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Rhona Fetzer, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Heinrich Amadeus Wolff, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Sigrid Emmenegger, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Yvonne Ott, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Günter Spinner, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Ines Härtel, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Thomas Offenloch, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Luxembourg, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Thierry Hoscheit, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Thierry Hoscheit, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Vietnam, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Nguyen Van Quang, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Nguyen Van Quang, Government: Legal system
civil law system with European influences
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Haiti, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Jean Joseph Lebrun, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Jean Joseph Lebrun, Government: Legal system
civil law system strongly influenced by Napoleonic Code
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: The Dominican, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Luis Henry Molina Pena, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system
Includes: Mariano German Mejía, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Peru, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Delia Revoredo, Government: Legal system
civil law system
Includes: Pedro Hernández Chávez, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Latvia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Aigars Strupiss, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Aigars Strupiss, Government: Legal system
civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Armenia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Arman Dilanyan, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Arman Dilanyan, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Colombia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Manuel José Cepeda Espinosa, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Manuel José Cepeda Espinosa, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Paraguay, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Luis Maria Benitez Riera, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Luis Maria Benitez Riera, Government: Legal system
civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; Supreme Court of Justice reviews legislative acts
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: China, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Ma Xiwu, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Ma Xiwu, Government: Legal system
civil law influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems; legislature retains power to interpret statutes
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Bolivia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Paola Prudencio Candia, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Paola Prudencio Candia, Government: Legal system
civil law system with influences from Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and ethnic groups' pre-colonial law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Slovenia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Rok Čeferin, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Rok Čeferin, Government: Legal system
civil law system
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Cote d'Ivoire, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Chantal Camara, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French civil code; Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court reviews legislation
Includes: Joachim Yua Koffi, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the French civil code; Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court reviews legislation
Includes: Constitutional Council of Cote d'Ivoire, Government, legal system
civil law system based on the French civil code;
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Benin, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Cossi Dorothe Sossa, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Cossi Dorothe Sossa, Government: Legal system
civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Slovakia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Ivan Fiacan, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Ivan Fiacan, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Finland, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Tatu Leppanen, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Tatu Leppanen, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on the Swedish model
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Chile, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Maria Pia Silva Gallinato, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Maria Pia Silva Gallinato, Government: Legal system
civil law system influenced by several Western European civil legal systems; Constitutional Tribunal reviews legislative acts
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Mauritius, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Ariranga Pillay, Government: Legal system
civil system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law
Includes: Supreme Court of Mauritius, Government: Legal system
civil system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Poland, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Bogdan Swieczkowski, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Bogdan Swieczkowski, Government: Legal system
civil law system; judicial review of legislative, administrative, and other governmental acts; constitutional law rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are final
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Guatemala, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Annabella Morfín, Government: Legal system
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Includes: Oscar Cruz Oliva, Government: Legal system
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Includes: Nester Vasquez, Government: Legal system
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Cuba, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Oscar Manuel Silvera Martinez, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Oscar Manuel Silvera Martinez, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on Spanish civil code
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Cambodia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Chiv Keng, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Chiv Keng, Government: Legal system
civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia), customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Lithuania, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Danguole Subliene, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Danguole Subliene, Government: Legal system
civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the Constitutional Court
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Costa Rica, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Orlando Aguirre Gómez, Government: Legal systemQuote, Includes: Orlando Aguirre Gómez, Government: Legal system
civil law system based on Spanish civil code; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
View the Source Civil law (legal system) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Group: Roman Law and Ius Commune Foundations, Introduction, sentence 1Quote, In Group: Roman Law and Ius Commune Foundations, Introduction, sentence 1
Civil law is a legal system rooted in the Roman Empire and was comprehensively codified and disseminated starting in the 19th century, most notably with France's Napoleonic Code (1804) and Germany's Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (1900).
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Djibouti, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Supreme Court of Djibouti, Government, legal systemQuote, Includes: Supreme Court of Djibouti, Government, legal system
mixed system based primarily on the French civil code (as it existed in 1997), Islamic religious law (in matters of family law and successions), and customary law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Mauritania, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Supreme Court of Mauritania, Government, legal systemQuote, Includes: Supreme Court of Mauritania, Government, legal system
mixed system of Islamic and French civil law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Tunisia, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Court of Cassation of Tunisia, Government, legal system, legal system of TunisiaQuote, Includes: Court of Cassation of Tunisia, Government, legal system, legal system of Tunisia
mixed system of civil law, based on the French civil code and Islamic (sharia) law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Equatorial Guinea, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Supreme Court of Justice of Equatorial Guinea, Government, legal system, legal system of Equatorial GuineaQuote, Includes: Supreme Court of Justice of Equatorial Guinea, Government, legal system, legal system of Equatorial Guinea
mixed system of civil and customary law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Eritrea, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: High Court of Eritrea, Government, legal system, legal system of EritreaQuote, Includes: High Court of Eritrea, Government, legal system, legal system of Eritrea
mixed system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Seychelles, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Court of Appeal of Seychelles, Government, legal system, legal system of SeychellesQuote, Includes: Court of Appeal of Seychelles, Government, legal system, legal system of Seychelles
mixed system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
View the Source Central Intelligence Agency: Comoros, The World Factbook (factbook.json archive copy)
Central Intelligence AgencyIncludes: Supreme Court of the Comoros, Government, legal system, legal system of ComorosQuote, Includes: Supreme Court of the Comoros, Government, legal system, legal system of Comoros
mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law
View the Source World Factbook archive, Georgia profile
Includes: Supreme Court of Georgia, Government, legal system, legal system of GeorgiaQuote, Includes: Supreme Court of Georgia, Government, legal system, legal system of Georgia
civil law system
View the Source Open Questions (1 open question)
Is Socialist Law a Distinct Legal Family, or a Variant of the Civil Law Tradition?
Comparativists have never fully settled this. Rene David's influential classification treated socialist law (the historical Soviet system and its export to Eastern Europe, China and elsewhere) as a family of its own, defined by the subordination of law to Communist Party policy and state ownership, even though its courts, codes and legal vocabulary were built on a civil-law base. Zweigert and Kotz, working from a different comparative method, are more skeptical that this political fact by itself creates a distinct legal FAMILY rather than a civil-law variant under unusual political conditions, and post-1989 practice complicates the question further: China's law today keeps socialist characteristics in name while its commercial and procedural codes converge heavily with mainstream civil law.
What would resolve this A comparative-law consensus classification would need to specify which feature is doing the definitional work, legal FORM (codes, courts, procedure, which stayed civil-law in shape) or POLITICAL FUNCTION (subordination to party policy, which did not), since the two point to different answers; a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction study tracking how far post-1989 codes have converged with ordinary civil law would also narrow the question for any single country.
Konrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir, An Introduction to Comparative Law
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