What are the differences between civil law and common law?

Civil law and common law are two different types of legal systems that govern different aspects of the law in Virginia. Civil law is based on a written set of statutes, codes, and regulations. In civil law, the law is made and enforced by a legislative body such as a legislature. In civil law cases, a judge will determine the facts of the case, and then apply the applicable law to the facts to resolve the case. This type of system is found in civil law countries such as France and Germany. Common law, on the other hand, is based on a body of precedent established through court rulings and decisions. When a judge hears a case, they will look to prior court rulings to determine what the law is. This type of legal system is found in common law countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The primary differences between civil law and common law are the sources of law used to resolve the case and the manner in which decisions are reached. Civil law systems rely on written statutes, codes, and regulations to resolve disputes, while common law systems rely on prior court decisions. In civil law cases, a judge determines the facts of the case and then applies the applicable law to resolve the issue, while in common law cases, a judge relies on prior court decisions to determine what the law is.

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What are the differences between civil law and common law?

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