What is the difference between civil law and common law?

In Washington, civil law and common law are two main systems of jurisprudence, or legal methods of decision-making. Civil law is based on a comprehensive set of statutes, or laws, that are written down in a code. This code typically covers many areas of law, such as contracts, torts, and property. Judges rely on this code, rather than on their own opinions, when making decisions. Common law, on the other hand, is based on past court decisions and judgments. This system of jurisprudence is often known as the "case law" system. Under this system, judges rely on older court decisions when making decisions in similar cases. This allows for consistency and fairness across cases. The main difference between civil law and common law is the way in which judges arrive at decisions. In civil law, judges rely on written codes. In common law, judges rely on precedent. Additionally, civil law systems are generally more formal and structured, while common law systems are more flexible and adaptable. Civil law systems also tend to be codified on the national level, while common law systems are typically codified on the state level. Ultimately, the primary difference between civil law and common law is the way in which judges make decisions. The way in which laws are judged can have a major impact on the outcome of each case, as well as the rights of citizens. In Washington, both civil law and common law are important sources of legal authority.

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What is the difference between civil law and common law?

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