Legal Systems Overview

Definition: The framework of rules and institutions that govern society, ensuring order and justice.
Types of Legal Systems:
- Common Law: Based on judicial decisions and precedents rather than statutes.
- Civil Law: Based on codified laws and statutes; judges play a less critical role in legislation.
- Customary Law: Based on traditions and community practices; often unwritten.
- Religious Law: Derived from religious texts and teachings; governs personal and family matters.
Structure of Legal Systems:
- Court Hierarchy:
  - Higher Courts (Supreme Court, Appeals Court) handle serious cases and appeals.
  - Lower Courts (Magistrates’ Courts, Local Courts) deal with minor offenses and preliminary hearings.
- Legislative Branch: Creates laws through parliament or legislative bodies.
- Executive Branch: Enforces laws, often through various government agencies.
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws, resolves disputes, and administers justice.
Sources of Law:
- Statutes: Laws enacted by parliament.
- Common Law: Law developed through court decisions.
- Constitutional Law: Fundamental principles that govern a state.
- International Law: Rules and agreements between sovereign states.

Justice: The principle of fairness and moral rightness in the legal system.
Rule of Law: The idea that all individuals and institutions are accountable to the law that is fairly applied and enforced.
Legal Rights and Responsibilities:
- Rights: Entitlements granted by law (e.g., right to a fair trial, freedom of speech).
- Responsibilities: Obligations that individuals must fulfill according to law (e.g., obey laws, pay taxes).
Liability: Legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions; may be civil or criminal.
- Civil Liability: Involves disputes between individuals or organizations, typically resolved through compensation.
- Criminal Liability: Involves actions that violate laws and are punishable by the state.
Legal Capacity: The ability of an individual to enter into legal agreements and be held accountable for their actions.
Judicial Precedent: The practice of using previous court decisions to guide the resolution of current cases.
Legislation: Laws created by the legislative body, which can be amended or repealed.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Methods for resolving disputes outside the court system, such as mediation and arbitration.

Framework governing society, ensuring order and justice.
Types of Legal Systems:
- Common Law: Relies on judicial decisions and legal precedents rather than written statutes.
- Civil Law: Predicated on codified laws; judges have a limited role in law-making.
- Customary Law: Based on long-standing community traditions; typically unwritten.
- Religious Law: Governs personal and family matters according to religious texts and teachings.

Court Hierarchy:
- Higher Courts (e.g., Supreme Court, Appeals Court): Address serious cases and handle appeals.
- Lower Courts (e.g., Magistrates’ Courts, Local Courts): Manage minor offenses and preliminary hearings.
Legislative Branch: Responsible for creating laws; operates through parliamentary systems.
Executive Branch: Enforces laws via various governmental agencies.
Judicial Branch: Interprets laws, resolves disputes, and dispenses justice.

Statutes: Laws enacted by legislative bodies.
Common Law: Evolving legal standards derived from judicial rulings.
Constitutional Law: Core principles establishing the governance of a state.
International Law: Codified rules and treaties governing relations between sovereign states.

Justice: The embodiment of fairness and moral righteousness within the legal framework.
Rule of Law: Principle that all individuals and entities are subject to and accountable under the law, fairly applied.
Legal Rights and Responsibilities:
- Rights: Legal entitlements, including the right to a fair trial and freedom of speech.
- Responsibilities: Legal obligations, such as obeying laws and fulfilling tax duties.
Liability: Legal accountability for actions or inactions, categorized into civil or criminal.
- Civil Liability: Arises from disputes between private parties; often resolved through financial compensation.
- Criminal Liability: Involves breaches of law subject to state prosecution.
Legal Capacity: Refers to an individual’s ability to engage in legal agreements and to be held accountable.
Judicial Precedent: The practice of adhering to previous court rulings to guide judicial decisions in new cases.
Legislation: Laws enacted by the legislative branch, subject to change or repeal.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Non-court methods for resolving conflicts, such as mediation and arbitration.