On the theory of legal families in the contemporary world from a civil law perspective

Authors

  • Ekaterina Mateeva Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Author

Keywords:

comparative law, the theory of legal families, division of national legal systems into legal families, criteria for classification of contemporary legal systems, mixed jurisdictions

Abstract

The main aim of the present article is to put up the notion “legal family” to discussion, in order to examine the main differences, existing between various legal families in the contemporary world. The main challenge lies in establishing a concise set of criteria that will enable the attribution of more than 200 national legislations throughout the various legal families. As relevant factors that determine the main features of modern legal systems one might point out the historical development, the distinctive method of legal thinking, the consensualism (i.e. the rule that agreement itself creates contractual obligations), the choice of sources of law and others. The article considers also the systematic place of the mixed jurisdictions.

 

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Author Biography

  • Ekaterina Mateeva, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

    Professor in Civil Law and Family Law at the Faculty of Law, Sofi a University „St. Kliment Ohridski“, Dr. Scienc., Dr. Habil;

Published

2025-08-19

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Articles

How to Cite

On the theory of legal families in the contemporary world from a civil law perspective. (2025). Annual of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". Faculty of Law, 86, 78-148. https://annual.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/law/article/view/1829