Have you ever wondered about the differences between common law and civil law legal systems? In a common law system, laws are developed and refined through judicial decisions and precedents, while in a civil law system, laws are codified and written down in statutes. The common law system, which originated in England, relies heavily on case law and the doctrine of stare decisis, which means to stand by precedent. This means that decisions made by higher courts are binding on lower courts, creating a system of consistent and predictable legal principles. On the other hand, civil law systems, which are prevalent in continental Europe and other parts of the world, are based on a comprehensive set of legal codes that outline rights, duties, and procedures. Judges in civil law systems interpret and apply these codes rather than relying on case law. This results in a more structured and formalized legal system where judicial decisions do not have the same binding authority as in common law systems. Understanding the distinction between common law and civil law legal systems is essential for legal practitioners and scholars, as it impacts how laws are interpreted, applied, and developed in different jurisdictions around the world.