Types of Law and Their Characteristics

This page provides an overview of the main types of law systems, highlighting their key features and applications in different societies.

Prawo stanowione (Statutory Law) is the foundation of most modern legal systems. It consists of legal acts issued by state legislative bodies. Courts base their rulings on these written laws.

Definition: Prawo stanowione refers to laws enacted by governmental legislative bodies, forming the basis for court decisions.

Prawo zwyczajowe (Customary Law) is an unwritten form of law that originated in ancient societies. It is based on customs and practices that a society considers just and binding.

Highlight: Prawo zwyczajowe is not created by institutions but emerges from societal practices and beliefs about what constitutes valid law.

Example: Examples of prawo zwyczajowe w Polsce might include traditional practices in rural communities that have been followed for generations.

Precedent Law, also known as case law, is established through court rulings on specific cases for the first time. These decisions then serve as guidelines for similar future cases.

Religious Law is derived from religious beliefs and serves as an ethical-legal norm regulating various aspects of social life. It is binding for followers of the respective religion.

Vocabulary: Gałęzie prawa (branches of law) can include various specialized areas such as constitutional law, civil law, and administrative law, each dealing with specific aspects of legal regulation.