Judicial Systems

Criminal Procedure: Judicial Systems

Introduction to Judicial Systems

Legal systems based on the common law tradition, such as those in England, Canada, and the United States, are typically contrasted with civil law systems, which are found in many Western European countries, much of Latin America and Africa, and parts of Asia. Civil law and common law systems have entirely different approaches to criminal procedure. Most countries with civil law systems use what is known as the inquisitorial system. Common law countries use what is called the adversarial system.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Judicial Systems in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Judicial Systems

In this Section

Judicial Systems, Inquisitorial System and Adversarial System.