This website offers an introduction to the many countries structure their court systems. National judiciaries have varied histories and legal cultures. JW explores these traditions and offers insights about different approaches to court procedure and judicial administration. 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
Quick Questions

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.

Click 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

Special Courts Banner
Many countries have specialized courts that operate alongside courts of general jurisdiction. These courts are created to meet the needs of specific constituencies (juvenile courts, tribal courts, community courts) or to address unique jurisdictional issues (tax courts, probate courts). Specialized…
Court Performance Banner
Improving court administration is a common goal of judicial reform. Court administration experts have identified the essential components of court services and developed metrics for assessing efficiency and quality. ‘Court performance standards’ have become an important tool for deploying limited…
Court Administration banner
Court administration, also referred to as judicial administration, encompasses the range of policies, procedures, and tasks essential to court operations. Its goal is to ensure the fair and efficient administration of justice. Judiciary leadership, judges, and court administrative personnel all…