In which countries is common law predominantly practiced?

Common law is predominantly practiced in the United States and the United Kingdom. The roots of common law trace back to England, where it developed following the Norman Conquest in 1066 and has since shaped the legal systems of many countries that were once part of the British Empire, including the U.S.

In the common law system, legal principles and precedents established in earlier court decisions play a significant role in shaping the law, as opposed to relying solely on written statutes. This creates a system that emphasizes the importance of court rulings and the interpretation of laws within context, leading to a dynamic legal environment that can adapt to new circumstances. The U.K. serves as the historical birthplace of common law, while the U.S. has adopted and adapted these traditions into its own legal framework.

Other countries mentioned, such as Germany, Japan, Turkey, France, Brazil, and Argentina, have legal systems based on civil law principles, which prioritize codified statutes over judicial rulings. This fundamental distinction between common law and civil law systems highlights why the United States and the United Kingdom are recognized as the primary practitioners of common law.