Apr-2025
| Feature | Common Law System | Civil Law System |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | England | Continental Europe (Roman law) |
| Main Source of Law | Judicial decisions (precedent) | Written codes and statutes |
| Criminal Jury | Yes, widely used for serious cases | Rare; sometimes mixed panels with laypeople |
| Civil Jury | Sometimes, but less common | Rarely; almost always judge-only |
| Judge’s Role | Interprets law, guides jury, may decide | Applies code, decides case |
| Philosophy | Community participation, protection against state power, flexible law | Expertise, consistency, predictability, less public participation |
| Examples | USA, UK, Canada, Australia | France, Germany, Japan, Indonesia |