Civil Law Tradition

John Henry Merryman (1920–2015) was the Nelson Bowman Sweitzer and Marie B. Sweitzer Professor of Law, Emeritus at Stanford University. Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo is a law professor at the Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas.

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION: "This little book is not only readable – a feat in itself – but also insightful and provocative in its treatment of the folklore and practice of the civil law. . . . A lively introduction to civil law thinking with its historical, political, and social dimensions."—The American Journal of Comparative Law "The most readable and succinct account of the origins, the development, and the philosophy of the civil law. . . . Written for those unfamiliar with the study of comparative law and legal systems, the book distinguishes the civil law tradition from that of the common law tradition of the English speaking countries. . ."—Houston Law Review "Of value both to the undergraduate and graduate student of comparative politics, as well as the law student interested in comparative law. . . . A most useful introduction."—Social Science Quarterly

• 1. Two Legal Traditions2. Roman Civil Law, Canon Law, and Commercial Law3. The Revolution4. The Sources of Law5. Codes and Codification6. Judges7. The Interpretation of Statutes8. Certainty and Equity9. Scholars and Legal Education10. Legal Science11. The General Part12. The Legal Process13. The Division of Jurisdiction14. Legal Categories15. The Legal Professions16. Civil Procedure17. Criminal Procedure18. Constitutional Review19. Perspectives20. The Future of the Civil Law Tradition