Legal Definitions - legal systems

A legal system is a process for interpreting and enforcing the law. It is a set of rules and procedures that govern how disputes are resolved and how people are held accountable for their actions.

There are many different legal systems in the world, but they can be broadly divided into two categories: religious legal systems and secular legal systems. Religious legal systems are based on the laws and teachings of a particular religion, while secular legal systems are based on human-made laws.

Examples of religious legal systems include Sharia law in Islamic countries and Halakha law in Jewish communities. Examples of secular legal systems include the common law system in the United States and the civil law system in France.

Legal systems can also be categorized based on their structure. Some countries have a federal system, where power is divided between a central government and individual states or provinces. Other countries have a unitary system, where power is centralized in a single government.

Regardless of their structure or origin, all legal systems share the goal of promoting justice and protecting the rights of individuals and society as a whole.