Law has a wide variety of applications and affects almost every aspect of life. It can be categorized into three main categories: Civil law, Common law, and Natural law. Let’s look at the basics of each. Let’s start with the categories of civil law: civil procedure focuses on court procedures, while criminal procedure focuses on citizens’ right to a fair trial. The third category is evidence law, which deals with the admissibility of evidence in court.
Civil law
Civil law is a legal system that originated in mainland Europe, and was adopted throughout much of the world. It is based on Roman law, and the referable system serves as its primary source.
Common law
Although the common law is an important tool in the legal system, it also has a number of disadvantages. Its traditions have historically led to the marginalization of certain groups. As such, it’s important to understand the ways that common law can affect your case.
Natural law
Natural law is the set of rules that govern the behavior of human beings. It applies to all humans, regardless of their culture or personal beliefs. According to natural law, every man must act in accordance with his rational nature. However, infants and insane people do not have the use of reason and cannot be held responsible for their actions. As such, natural law is immutable and does not change over time.
Customs
Customs law, or international trade law, is a complex subject whose practical application is critical to the functioning of the international trading system. It regulates the import and export of goods, and influences the activities of economic actors engaged in international trade. As a result, it is essential for businesses to understand the complex mechanisms of customs law.
Judicial decisions
Judicial decisions are often used as the basis of law. In many instances, courts have used them to interpret and apply the Constitution. This practice is called stare decisis. The doctrine states that if an earlier court made a mistake, later courts must follow that mistake. But it is also important to recognize that a mistake in an earlier case should not be the basis for a decision in a later case.
Statutes
Statutes can be a huge resource for researching laws. Whether it’s a private law, public law, or something in between, you’ll find it in the Statutes at Large volume. Its index indicates the type of legislation, as well as its underlying statute. This includes information about the underlying statute, its appropriations, and its legislative history.