Key Terms
MODULE
INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEMS (CH. 1, SECTIONS 1.1-1.5)
NOTE
Even businesses that are not international must understand global legal systems. Consumers, partners, and competitors co
Common Law origin
English common law tradition; carried into the US via the Constitution.
Core feature
Grants specific legal powers to kings, queens, sultans, or tribal leaders as heads of state.
Juries
Both civil and criminal cases typically allow a jury of the parties' peers.
Civil Law origin
Developed in Europe; based on Roman and Napoleonic law.
Also called
Code systems.
Where civil law systems are used
Europe, Central and South America, Asia, and Africa (largely through colonial influence — France, Germany, Holland, Spai
Source
Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution — president must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed."
Scope
Usually apply to all aspects of life — social and business relations included.
Used by
Monarchies and tribes.
Core problem
The ruler is seen as "above the law" — laws do not apply equally to ruler and subjects. This conflicts with the Rule of
Status
Becoming increasingly less common. Most surviving monarchies have evolved into hybrid systems or adopted a different leg
Definition
A combination of two or more legal systems within one nation.
Social norms
Informal rules governing group behavior. Violating them brings social or professional consequences — NOT legal penalties