What are the major differences between common law and civil law?

Common law and civil law are two distinct systems of law that vary from country to country. In the United States, and in particular, Maryland, these two systems of law have some important differences. Common law is based on precedents set in court decisions of previously adjudicated cases rather than on codified laws and statutes. This means that the court relies heavily on a history of similar cases to make a decision and does not necessarily follow existing laws. On the other hand, civil law is based on a code that prescribes laws to be enforced by the government or court. In common law, juries are an integral part of the judicial process. With the exception of small claims court, juries are frequently used to decide the outcome of a case. Civil law does not make use of juries; instead, the judge is responsible for making rulings based on the evidence presented. Another difference between common law and civil law is that common law states allow jury trials, while civil law states have no jury trials. This means that in civil law, the judge has the sole decision-making power and can decide the outcome of the case without consulting a jury. Finally, common law relies heavily on precedent. This means that the outcome of a current case is based on the decisions of past cases, while civil law is more focused on the written and codified laws. This means that the decisions of a court in a civil law system can be overruled by a higher court as long as it is in accordance with the written law. Overall, common law and civil law are two distinct legal systems with different approaches and rules. It is important to understand the differences between the two systems, as these differences could have a major impact on the outcome of a case.

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What are the major differences between common law and civil law?

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