Legal System Type by Country: Full List 2025

Legal systems vary greatly across countries, reflecting their historical, cultural, and societal influences. These systems form the backbone of governance and define how laws are created, interpreted, and enforced. A country’s legal system may fall into one of several categories, including civil law, common law, Islamic law, or a combination of these traditions.

This article provides a comprehensive list of legal systems by country, showcasing the diversity and complexity of global legal frameworks. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or professional, this guide will help you understand the legal principles shaping the world’s nations. Below, you will find a full table categorizing countries based on their legal system types.

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Country Legal System Type
1mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAfghanistanMixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic (Sharia) law
2mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAlbaniaCivil law system
3mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAlgeriaMixed legal system of French civil law and Islamic law
4mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAndorraMixed legal system of civil and customary law, with canon (religious) law influences
5mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAngolaCivil legal system based on Portuguese civil law
6mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAntigua and BarbudaCommon law based on the English model
7mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMArgentinaCivil law system based on West European legal systems
8mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMArmeniaCivil law system
9mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAustraliaCommon law system based on the English model
10mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAustriaCivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court
11mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMAzerbaijanCivil law system
12mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBahamasCommon law system based on the English model
13mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBahrainMixed legal system of Islamic law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law
14mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBangladeshMixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic law
15mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBarbadosEnglish common law; no judicial review of legislative acts
16mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBelarusCivil law system
17mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBelgiumCivil law system based on the French Civil Code
18mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBelizeEnglish common law
19mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBeninCivil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law
20mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBhutanCivil law based on Buddhist religious law
21mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBoliviaCivil law system with influences from Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and indigenous law
22mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBosnia and HerzegovinaCivil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
23mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBotswanaMixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law
24mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBrazilCivil law
25mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBruneiMixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law
26mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBulgariaCivil law
27mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBurkina FasoCivil law based on the French model and customary law
28mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMBurundiMixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law
29mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIvory CoastCivil law system based on the French civil code; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court
30mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCabo VerdeCivil law system of Portugal
31mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCambodiaCivil law system influenced by French law and customary law
32mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCameroonMixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
33mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCanadaCommon law system at the federal level, with civil law in Quebec
34mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCentral African RepublicMixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
35mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMChadMixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
36mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMChileCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
37mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMChinaCivil law system influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law traditions
38mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMColombiaCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
39mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMComorosMixed legal system of Islamic law, French civil law, and customary law
40mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCongo (Congo-Brazzaville)Mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
41mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCosta RicaCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
42mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCroatiaCivil law system influenced by Austrian and Hungarian law
43mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCubaCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
44mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCyprusMixed legal system of English common law and civil law with Greek Orthodox religious law influences
45mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMCzechia (Czech Republic)Civil law system influenced by Germanic and Austrian law
46mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMDemocratic Republic of the CongoMixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law
47mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMDenmarkCivil law system influenced by Scandinavian law
48mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMDjiboutiMixed legal system of French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
49mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMDominicaCommon law system based on English common law
50mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMDominican RepublicCivil law system influenced by French and Spanish law
51mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEcuadorCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
52mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEgyptMixed legal system of Islamic law and civil law
53mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEl SalvadorCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
54mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEquatorial GuineaMixed legal system of Spanish civil law and customary law
55mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEritreaMixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law
56mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEstoniaCivil law system influenced by Germanic law
57mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEswatini (fmr. "Swaziland")Mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, customary law, and Swazi law
58mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMEthiopiaMixed legal system of civil law and customary law
59mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMFijiMixed legal system of English common law and customary law
60mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMFinlandCivil law system influenced by Swedish law
61mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMFranceCivil law system based on the Napoleonic Code
62mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGabonMixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
63mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGambiaMixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
64mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGeorgiaCivil law system influenced by continental European law
65mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGermanyCivil law system based on the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz)
66mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGhanaMixed legal system of English common law and customary law
67mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGreeceCivil law system influenced by Roman and Germanic law
68mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGrenadaCommon law system based on English common law
69mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGuatemalaCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
70mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGuineaMixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
71mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGuinea-BissauMixed legal system of civil law and customary law
72mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMGuyanaMixed legal system of English common law and Roman-Dutch civil law
73mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMHaitiCivil law system influenced by French law
74mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMHoly SeeCanon law
75mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMHondurasCivil law system influenced by Spanish law
76mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMHungaryCivil law system influenced by Germanic law
77mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIcelandCivil law system influenced by Danish law
78mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIndiaMixed legal system of English common law, Hindu law, Islamic law, and customary law
79mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIndonesiaMixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
80mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIranMixed legal system of Islamic law and civil law
81mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIraqMixed legal system of civil and Islamic law
82mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIrelandCommon law system
83mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMIsraelMixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws
84mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMItalyCivil law system; judicial review of legislation under certain conditions
85mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMJamaicaCommon law system based on the English model
86mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMJapanCivil law system influenced by German and American law
87mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMJordanMixed legal system of civil law and Islamic religious law
88mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMKazakhstanCivil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and Soviet law
89mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMKenyaMixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
90mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMKiribatiMixed legal system of English common law and customary law
91mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMKuwaitMixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
92mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMKyrgyzstanCivil law system
93mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLaosCivil law system influenced by the French model
94mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLatviaCivil law system influenced by Germanic and French law
95mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLebanonMixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
96mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLesothoMixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law
97mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLiberiaMixed legal system of common law (based on Anglo-American law) and customary law
98mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLibyaMixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law
99mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLiechtensteinCivil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law
100mfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMmfk97mfk14/12/2024 06:20 AMLithuaniaCivil law system influenced by Roman law and continental European legal traditions

Understanding the Different Legal System Types

  • Civil Law: Civil law is the most widespread legal system globally, characterized by codified statutes and principles. Originating in Europe, it is influenced by Roman law and the Napoleonic Code. Countries like France, Germany, and Japan follow civil law systems, where legislation is the primary source of law, and judicial decisions have less precedence compared to common law systems.
  • Common Law: Common law systems, predominant in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, rely on judicial decisions and precedents as a key source of law. Originating in England, this system is dynamic and adaptable, allowing courts to interpret and refine laws over time. Common law emphasizes the role of case law alongside legislative statutes.

The Role of Mixed Legal Systems

Mixed legal systems combine elements from multiple traditions, such as civil, common, Islamic, and customary law. For example, South Africa integrates Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law, creating a unique legal framework. Similarly, countries like Malaysia and Pakistan blend common law principles with Islamic jurisprudence, catering to diverse populations and legal needs.


Sources