This website offers an introduction to the many ways judicial systems can be structured, the work of international tribunals, and the field of international rule of law. Please click here to view a short video about the site. Background information and a list of contributors can be found here.

 
Legal Traditions

 

Courts

 

Judges

 

Civil

 

Criminal

 

Country Profiles

 

International
Rule of Law

 


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Legal Systems Around the World

Every nation has a unique legal system that reflects its history, culture, and government structure. Along with the civil and common law traditions, religious law plays a role in many parts of the world. This map offers a basic overview of the world’s judicial systems, including legal tradition, highest court, and selected features. More information about nations not included in the Country Profiles section will be added overtime.

Hover over a country on the map to learn more about its legal system; to find a specific country, use the search option by clicking on the magnifying glass on the top-left corner.
 

Recent Content

Four Judges from Ghana and two officials standing at a table

Judges

Judicial Selection When deciding how to select judges, governments consider a number of factors. Some prioritize high performance on a competitive examination. Some look for pragmatic knowledge and administrative competence above all else, while others seek…
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Use of Foreign Judges

Foreign judges have been “imported” throughout history, dating back to Ancient Greece when independent city-states br Local CapacityThe process of developing a pool of skilled judges takes time. In countries without a well-established legal profession, especially those with…
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Civil Litigation

Rules of procedure and court practices shape the contours of civil litigation. The path of a civil case follows a similar trajectory across most civil-law countries; this is also true throughout common-law countries. However, there are considerable variances within each legal tradition. Differences…
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