Comparative Legal Systems

Code:

D204

Acronym:

SJC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Legal Sciences

Instance: 2003/2004 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Law

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
D	130	Official Study Plan - LD	2	-	8	-

Objectives

An understanding of the historical development of the subject and of the applicability of comparative legal methods

A comparative analysis and understanding of the structural characteristics of the main present-day legal families

An awareness of the importance of comparative law in terms of the development and perfecting of national legal systems

Program

1. INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE LAW
1.1. The concept of comparative law
1.2. Object
1.3. Method

2. INTERNATIONAL LAW AND EUROPEAN UNION LAW: THE IMPACT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEMS

3. A STUDY OF THE MAIN PRESENT-DAY LEGAL FAMILIES

3.1. Civil Law legal systems (the Roman-Germanic family)
a. Sources of the law
b. Principles of interpretation
c. The legal apparatus

3.2. Common Law legal systems (the Anglo-Saxon family)
a. Constitutional principles
b. Sources of the law
c. Principles of interpretation. Aids to interpretation
d. The hierarchy of the courts
e. The legal professions
f. The nature of the jury
g. Criminal justice

3.3. Islamic legal systems
a. Sources of the law
b. The legal professions
c. The Islamic community in Portugal

3.4. Hindu legal systems
a. The importance of Hindu law
b. Sources of the law
c. The organisation of the judiciary
d. The reform process
e. Indian law