Which legal system is characterized by codified laws or statutes?

The civil law system is characterized by codified laws or statutes that serve as the primary sources of law. In this system, legal principles are expressed through comprehensive written codes that cover various aspects of law, such as civil, criminal, and commercial matters. This codification provides a clear and organized framework that judges and legal practitioners use to interpret and apply the law.

In contrast, the common law system, which is prominent in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, is primarily based on judicial precedents and case law, where the decisions made by courts in previous cases establish legal principles. This system relies heavily on the interpretation of statutes and the judiciary's role in shaping the law over time.

Cannon law is a body of laws governing the Church and its members, which is separate from the civil or common law systems. Equity law, on the other hand, emerged to address issues that couldn't be resolved by common law, focusing on fairness and justice through principles rather than strictly adhering to codified statutes.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the civil law system is specifically associated with the existence of codified laws, contrasting it with other legal traditions that take different approaches to law and legal interpretation.