Abstract

This essay critically examines the influence of legal education on legal culture during the early modern period, focusing on the comparison between the English common law and European civil law systems. It first outlines the structure of legal education in England, noting the role of the Inns of Court and the distinctive approaches to teaching law to barristers and attorneys. The impact of such education on the development of common law, the doctrine of law, and advocacy skills is explored, emphasizing the elitism and exclusivity of legal education in England. The essay then shifts to discuss the Continental model of legal education, particularly in France, where a focus on textual analysis of canonical and civil law texts prevailed. It highlights the codified nature of civil law and the significant role of legal scholars in shaping the legal culture in Europe. Through a comparative analysis, the essay underscores how these divergent educational models have historically influenced the respective legal cultures, shaping the conceptualization of the law, modes of reasoning, and approaches to legal interpretation in both systems. The essay concludes that legal education profoundly impacts legal culture, evident in the contrast between the common law's emphasis on case law and civil law's reliance on codified statutes.

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