What are the differences between civil law and common law?

The main difference between civil law and common law is that civil law is based on a comprehensive set of written laws, while common law is based on judicial decisions and interpretations of the law. In California, civil law is also referred to as statutory law, or the laws that are written down in the state and federal codes. These statutes are usually specific and comprehensive, covering a wide range of subject areas. Common law, on the other hand, is law that is developed by courts over time by basing decisions on prior court decisions in similar cases. This type of law is not written down in a code, but rather is based on tradition, custom and existing judicial decisions. Common law is also based on precedent, meaning that similar cases that have come before the court are used to determine the outcome of the current case. Civil law, therefore, is where people turn when a dispute arises and is ultimately governed by the written codes of law. Common law provides a way for judges to interpret and apply the law to the facts of a particular case. Both of these types of law are important in California and the rest of the nation.

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What are the differences between civil law and common law?

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