About us

Legal systems vary from country to country.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland share the same common law system. Scotland's legal system is a civil law system based on Roman Law.

The common law system is shared with most Commonwealth countries, the United States and the Republic of Ireland. Common law relies heavily on precedent.

Many other countries operate a civil code in which the law is set down by statute.

There are also countries that use religious law, such as Sharia law, in some or all areas of legal practice.

Find reference sources on legal systems on our links page or consult the regulatory authority of the country concerned.