Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a civil law system?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a civil law system?
How did the French Civil Code (Code Civil) influence the development of civil law systems?
How did the French Civil Code (Code Civil) influence the development of civil law systems?
Which of the following countries DOES NOT have a legal system heavily influenced by German civil law?
Which of the following countries DOES NOT have a legal system heavily influenced by German civil law?
What is the primary source of law in a Common Law system?
What is the primary source of law in a Common Law system?
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What is the "Doctrine of Reception" in the context of common law?
What is the "Doctrine of Reception" in the context of common law?
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Which of the following is an example of a hybrid or mixed legal system?
Which of the following is an example of a hybrid or mixed legal system?
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Which of the following countries is NOT a predominantly common law jurisdiction?
Which of the following countries is NOT a predominantly common law jurisdiction?
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What is the approximate percentage of the world's population that lives in common law countries?
What is the approximate percentage of the world's population that lives in common law countries?
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What is the primary purpose of the voir dire process?
What is the primary purpose of the voir dire process?
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What is the consequence when a jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict?
What is the consequence when a jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict?
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How are potential jurors initially selected for jury duty?
How are potential jurors initially selected for jury duty?
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What does a 'peremptory challenge' allow an attorney to do during jury selection?
What does a 'peremptory challenge' allow an attorney to do during jury selection?
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What happens in an 'excused for cause' situation?
What happens in an 'excused for cause' situation?
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What is the primary characteristic of a summary judgement?
What is the primary characteristic of a summary judgement?
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Which of the following is NOT a typical form of discovery?
Which of the following is NOT a typical form of discovery?
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What is the purpose of a deposition?
What is the purpose of a deposition?
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During a trial, what is the 'case in chief' primarily focused on?
During a trial, what is the 'case in chief' primarily focused on?
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What does 'burden of proof on the balance of probabilities' mean?
What does 'burden of proof on the balance of probabilities' mean?
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What is the purpose of cross-examination during a trial?
What is the purpose of cross-examination during a trial?
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In a trial, what does 'redirect examination' refer to?
In a trial, what does 'redirect examination' refer to?
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What is the primary purpose of the defendant's case in chief?
What is the primary purpose of the defendant's case in chief?
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What happens during the plaintiff's rebuttal?
What happens during the plaintiff's rebuttal?
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Which of the following best describes the concept of 'beyond reasonable doubt' in a criminal trial?
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'beyond reasonable doubt' in a criminal trial?
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In the UK criminal justice system, where are summary offenses typically tried?
In the UK criminal justice system, where are summary offenses typically tried?
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What is 'disclosure' in the context of a trial?
What is 'disclosure' in the context of a trial?
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Which court primarily handles cases involving indictable offenses in the UK?
Which court primarily handles cases involving indictable offenses in the UK?
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In adversarial systems, what is the role of the judge?
In adversarial systems, what is the role of the judge?
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What do civil system judges primarily rely on for guidance in deciding a matter of law?
What do civil system judges primarily rely on for guidance in deciding a matter of law?
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What is the primary basis for determining legal precedents in civil systems?
What is the primary basis for determining legal precedents in civil systems?
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Which statement accurately describes the experience level of judges in civil systems?
Which statement accurately describes the experience level of judges in civil systems?
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What type of commentary do judges in civil systems rely on less frequently?
What type of commentary do judges in civil systems rely on less frequently?
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In what situation might a civil system judge take a position during a case?
In what situation might a civil system judge take a position during a case?
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How do civil system judges view their role compared to those in adversarial systems?
How do civil system judges view their role compared to those in adversarial systems?
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What is the primary function of taking evidence in litigation?
What is the primary function of taking evidence in litigation?
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Which characteristic is often associated with judges in civil systems?
Which characteristic is often associated with judges in civil systems?
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In the context of civil law, how does a judge typically reach a decision?
In the context of civil law, how does a judge typically reach a decision?
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How does common law differ from civil law in terms of case resolution?
How does common law differ from civil law in terms of case resolution?
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What legal principle allows judges to refer to past case decisions?
What legal principle allows judges to refer to past case decisions?
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What term describes the judge's process of finding a legal provision that applies to a case in civil law?
What term describes the judge's process of finding a legal provision that applies to a case in civil law?
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What does 'distinguishing' mean in the context of common law?
What does 'distinguishing' mean in the context of common law?
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Which of the following best represents the role of lawyers in evidence taking?
Which of the following best represents the role of lawyers in evidence taking?
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In which legal system do judges primarily interpret codified laws laid down in documents?
In which legal system do judges primarily interpret codified laws laid down in documents?
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Flashcards
Adversarial System
Adversarial System
Legal proceedings where opposing parties present arguments and evidence to an impartial judge or jury, who then make a decision based on the law.
Stare Decisis
Stare Decisis
A principle in law where judges rely on previous rulings (precedents) to make decisions in similar cases.
Civil Law System
Civil Law System
A legal system where judges play a more active role in shaping the law, relying on precedent and academic commentaries.
Experienced Judges in Civil Law
Experienced Judges in Civil Law
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Jury's Role in Adversarial Systems
Jury's Role in Adversarial Systems
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Judge's Dual Role in Civil Systems
Judge's Dual Role in Civil Systems
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Neutral Jury in Adversarial Systems
Neutral Jury in Adversarial Systems
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Importance of Legal Scholars in Civil Law
Importance of Legal Scholars in Civil Law
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Legal Provision
Legal Provision
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Codification
Codification
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Subsumption
Subsumption
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Precedent Case
Precedent Case
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Distinguishing
Distinguishing
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Evidence Taking
Evidence Taking
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Evidence Collection Responsibility
Evidence Collection Responsibility
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Taxonomy
Taxonomy
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Civil Law
Civil Law
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Common Law
Common Law
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Religious Law
Religious Law
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Hybrid/Mixed Systems
Hybrid/Mixed Systems
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Doctrine of Reception
Doctrine of Reception
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Codified Legislation in Civil Law
Codified Legislation in Civil Law
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Binding Precedent in Civil Law
Binding Precedent in Civil Law
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Jury Selection
Jury Selection
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Voir Dire
Voir Dire
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Excused for Cause
Excused for Cause
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Peremptory Challenge
Peremptory Challenge
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Hung Jury
Hung Jury
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Summary Judgment
Summary Judgment
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Discovery
Discovery
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Interrogatories
Interrogatories
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Deposition
Deposition
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Balance of Probabilities
Balance of Probabilities
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Cross-Examination
Cross-Examination
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Redirect Examination
Redirect Examination
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Recross-Examination
Recross-Examination
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Defendant's Case in Chief
Defendant's Case in Chief
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Plaintiff's Rebuttal
Plaintiff's Rebuttal
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Closing Arguments
Closing Arguments
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Judge's Instructions to the Jury
Judge's Instructions to the Jury
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Jury Deliberations and Verdict
Jury Deliberations and Verdict
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Study Notes
Common Law vs. Civil Law
- Common Law originates from Anglo-Saxon customary law, while Civil Law originates from Roman Law.
- Common Law is adversarial, with lawyers questioning witnesses and presenting evidence. Civil Law is inquisitorial, with judges questioning, demanding evidence, and lawyers arguing based on court-found evidence.
- Common Law's sources include statutes, precedents from court opinions, and administrative rules. Civil Law primarily comes from statutory codes, with court opinions not carrying the same precedential weight.
- Common Law heavily relies on stare decisis. Civil Law's interpretation mostly focuses on the statutory code's wording.
- Juries in Common Law consist only of laypeople, used mostly in criminal cases, rarely in civil actions. Civil Law juries are almost exclusively used in criminal cases.
- Judges in Common Law decide matters of law. In the absence of a jury they act as fact-finders. In civil law, judges act as inquisitors, interpreters of codes, and fact-finders.
Evidence Taking
- Common Law generally involves litigants questioning and demanding evidence.
- Civil Law systems, the court takes the lead in gathering evidence.
Legal Systems of the World
- Civil Law is characterized by legal codes as the primary source, rooted in Roman Law.
- Examples of Civil Law countries include France, Germany, and various countries in Latin America and Africa.
- Common Law systems rely on judge-made laws and precedents.
History of Common Law
- Common Law is uncodified, based on judicial decisions, court interpretations, and established practices.
- Precedent is fundamental to Common Law, meaning courts typically follow previous rulings in similar cases, unless strong reasons to alter interpretation exist.
- Historical English legal documents like Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus Act significantly shaped Common Law.
- Common Law's sources include case law, statutes, statutory interpretation, delegated legislation, European law, custom, and equity.
Court Hierarchy
- Court hierarchies are established in various legal systems.
- There are distinctions in handling various cases.
Role of Judges
- Judges in Common Law systems have a neutral role, particularly in the presence of a jury. Judges in Civil Law systems play a more active role, sometimes acting as inquisitors and fact-finders.
People Working in Legal Systems
- In the UK, solicitors handle transactional and advisory matters, while barristers are courtroom advocates.
- Juries in UK and US systems serve different functions and consist of laypeople who decide facts in accordance with legal instructions.
Criminal Justice Systems
- Criminal trials involve determining guilt or innocence, leading to various sentences for those found guilty.
- Precedent and procedures guide criminal trials.
- Plea bargaining is a common feature in criminal cases.
Presidential Candidates
- Steps involved include primaries/caucuses, national conventions, and the general election.
- Qualifications needed to be President.
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Description
Explore the key differences between Common Law and Civil Law systems. Understand their origins, processes, sources of law, and roles of judges and juries. This quiz will enhance your grasp of legal frameworks across different jurisdictions.