continental law

[/ˌkɑːntɪˈnɛntəl lɔː/]
nounpl: continental laws
direito continental
1. A legal system based on codified law derived from Roman law, primarily used in Europe and Latin America, characterized by comprehensive written codes and statutes rather than case law precedent
Most European countries follow continental law systems with detailed civil codes.
A maioria dos países europeus segue sistemas de direito continental com códigos civis detalhados.
2. The system of law prevalent on the European mainland, as opposed to common law systems
Continental law emphasizes statutory interpretation over judicial precedent.
O direito continental enfatiza a interpretação estatutária sobre precedentes judiciais.
Continental law is the predominant legal system in Brazil, Portugal, and most of continental Europe. This contrasts with the common law systems used in the United States and United Kingdom. Understanding this distinction is crucial in international legal contexts and comparative law studies.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
civil lawcodified lawRoman law system
Antonyms / Antônimos
common lawcase law system

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
direito continental
Standard term used in legal education and practice
Portugal
direito continental
Used to distinguish from Anglo-Saxon common law systems
Legal Academia
sistema de direito civil
Alternative term emphasizing civil law component

Related Words

civil codestatutory lawjudicial precedentcommon law

Related Idioms & Phrases

follow continental law
based on continental law principles
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