Legal Systems

There are several legal systems in the world and dealing with many different types can be difficult and confusing. Taking into account the impact of various aspects of legal systems in international business, it is very important for business people to have a good understanding of legal systems of countries that they do business with.

While the concept of codification dates back to the Code of Hammurabi in Babylon ca. 1790 BC, it takes its origins from Roman Law.

• There is generally a written constitution and specific codes (e.g. civil code, criminal code, codes covering labor law, corporate law, administrative law, and tax law) ensuring basic rights and duties.

• In general, only legislative enactments and administrative regulations are considered binding for all. There is little scope for judge-made law in civil, criminal and commercial courts, although in practice judges tend to follow previous judicial decisions.

• Less freedom of contract – many provisions are implied into a contract by law and parties cannot contract out of certain provisions.

• The judge often brings the formal charges, investigates the matter, and decides on the case. He or she works within a framework established by a comprehensive, codified set of laws.

• It is generally more prescriptive than a common law system.

• There is not always a written constitution nor any compilation of legal rules and statutes.

• Judicial decisions are binding – decisions of the highest court can generally only be overturned by that same court or through legislation.

• Extensive freedom of contract – few provisions are implied into the contract by law.

• Generally, everything is permitted that is not expressly prohibited by law.

• The judge moderates a contest between two opposing parties. A jury of ordinary people without legal training decides on the facts of the case. The judge then determines the appropriate sentence based on the jury’s verdict.

• It is less prescriptive than a civil law system.

Religious law refers to ethical and moral codes taught by religious traditions, which are upheld and required by God.

Religion and law have always been interrelated. In the past, religion wholly controlled the law; today law controls the scope and sphere of religion in major parts of the world.

Examples include Islamic Law (Sharia), Christian Canon Law, Jewish Halakha, and Hindu Law.

Some important features of Muslim Law are:
• deterrent punishment which is the basis of the Islamic criminal system;
• different rules for men and women;
• influence of the Islamic religion on the rules (oneness of church and state);
• regulation of public and private behavior.

Countries following Islamic Law systems are mostly in the Middle East and it covers 20% of the world’s population.

• Also, countries in which the protection of intellectual property rights is weak, encourage the piracy of intellectual property like patents, copyrights and trademarks. Aspects like this must be carefully analyzed previously or at the beginning of business negotiations.

• Finally, before doing any cross-border transaction, it is highly recommended to invest some time in strategically defining how international agreements should be structured, negotiated, and drafted.