Which country is an example of a civil-law system?

• A. Canada
• B. France
• C. United States
• D. United Kingdom

Answer: (B)

Civil-law systems organize the law through codified statutes and comprehensive codes, with judges applying and interpreting those codes rather than relying on judicial rulings as the main source of law. France is a classic example because its private-law framework rests on codified statutes—the Civil Code and related codes—that govern contracts, obligations, and many aspects of life, including insurance agreements. This codified structure means rules are set out in written codes and interpreted through them, providing a systematic, predefined framework for how contracts like life insurance are created, interpreted, and enforced.

In contrast, other options exemplify different traditions. The United States and the United Kingdom rely predominantly on common law, where court decisions and precedents drive the development of the law over time. Canada combines systems, with most provinces following common law and Quebec applying civil-law principles to private matters; thus, Canada as a whole isn’t a pure civil-law country.