Mardi Gras and the Law: Louisiana’s Civil Law Tradition

Because of the state’s unique history, Louisiana is a place like none other in the U.S. legal system. Unlike the other 49 states, Louisiana incorporates elements of civil law into its legal system, alongside other aspects of the more typical common law system. You can see a map of the world’s legal systems at JuriGlobe – there you’ll see a tiny sliver of the U.S. (Louisiana) listed as a civil law jurisdiction along with other civil law jurisdictions worldwide, like most of Europe and South America. If you’re interested in a general overview of Louisiana’s civil law system, check out this somewhat dated but still good article: Louisiana Civil Law and Its Study, 60 La. L. Rev. 1 (1999). Or if you’re just looking for a guide to the law of Louisiana, have a look at the Louisiana Practice Materials Guide from the Law Library of Louisiana.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!