Scots law

Scots law (or Scottish law) is the law of Scotland. It is a unique system with ancient roots and has a basis in Roman law, combining features of both uncodified Civil law dating back to the Corpus Juris Civilis and common law with medieval sources. Thus Scotland has a pluralistic legal system, comparable to that of Quebec, Louisiana and South Africa. Since 1707 it shares a legislature with the rest of the United Kingdom. Scotland and England and Wales each retained fundamentally different legal systems, but the Union brought further English influence on Scots law. In recent years Scots law has also been affected by European law under the Treaty of Rome, and laws can now be passed by the Scottish Parliament within its areas of legislative competence.

Related Topics:
Law - Scotland - Roman law - Civil law - Corpus Juris Civilis - Common law - Medieval - Quebec - Louisiana - South Africa - 1707 - United Kingdom - England and Wales - European law - Treaty of Rome - Scottish Parliament

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The difference of basis between Scots and English law does not have much obvious effect on day to day life, but while some differences are very minor such as arbiters (in Scotland) being called arbitrators in England, significant variation shows in some circumstances, an example being house buying where Scots law and practice makes the English problem of gazumping a rarity in Scotland. Another example would be the ability for Scottish judges and juries to return a verdict of 'not proven' in criminal cases.

Related Topics:
English law - Gazump

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~