What are the differences between civil law and common law?

Civil law and common law are two different types of legal systems. In the United States, most states have both civil and common laws, but the specifics of each system may differ from state to state. In Massachusetts, the common law is based on legal precedent, meaning that the decisions of prior court cases help to guide present court decisions. Civil law, on the other hand, is based on a code of written laws that may take precedence over prior court decisions. Common law focuses on a case-by-case basis and relies heavily on the precedents set by prior court decisions. In each case, the prior decision helps guide the one at hand. Civil law, on the other hand, is more rigid and based on a written code of laws. These laws are written by legislators and enforced by judicial bodies, and must be followed when deciding a case without regard to prior cases. The main difference between civil law and common law is how decisions are made. Common law relies on the interpretation of prior court decisions, while civil law is based on a set of written laws that must be followed. This distinction is important to understand when navigating the legal system in Massachusetts.

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What are the differences between civil law and common law?

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