Distinguishing CIVIL LAW from COMMON LAW systems:

Question

Accepted Answer

A.

1. CIVIL LAW (Romano-Germanic) systems:
2. (i) Roots: ROMAN LAW (Justinian's Corpus Juris Civilis 6th century); medieval revival in European universities; NAPOLEONIC CODE 1804; German BGB 1900;
3. (ii) Primary source: CODIFIED STATUTES (comprehensive civil code);
4. (iii) Judges APPLY codes; judicial decisions are PERSUASIVE only;
5. (iv) INQUISITORIAL procedure — judge actively investigates;
6. (v) Countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Latin America, Japan, China (with socialist law influences).
7. COMMON LAW systems:
8. (i) Roots: ENGLISH common law from 12th century; CASE LAW develops through royal courts;
9. (ii) Primary source: CASE LAW + STATUTES + COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES;
10. (iii) Judges MAKE law through precedents; STARE DECISIS binding;
11. (iv) ADVERSARIAL procedure;
12. (v) Countries: UK, USA, India, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, NZ, most Commonwealth countries.
13. India: COMMON LAW system with extensive STATUTORY codifications (IPC, Contract Act, etc.).
14. Hence option B is correct.
_Source: Legal Research Methodology + Jurisprudence — Comparative Law fundamentals_