from http://www1.curriculum.edu.au/ddunits/guide/g3b_common.htm

The system of law which developed in England is called the common law. It became a worldwide system because of Britain’s conquests and expansion overseas. It operates in Australia and in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia and India. The common law is the great rival or alternative to the system which derives from Roman law which operates in Europe, South America and Japan. That is called the civil law. Continue reading →