Common law and civil law are two different legal systems used globally. Common law is based on previous court decisions, so higher court decisions in a certain area are important for lower courts in that same area.
This system is used in countries such as the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Civil law, on the other hand, is based on a set of written laws and court decisions play a smaller role. This system is used in countries like France, Germany, Japan, and Brazil.
There are important differences between the two systems. For example, common law gives more power to judges to make decisions based on past cases, while civil law relies more on written laws. Common law is also usually more flexible and changes easier, while civil law is more stable and consistent.
The best legal system depends on a country's needs and characteristics. Both common law and civil law have their own pros and cons.