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Comparison

Read two legal systems against each other

Because every portal follows the same fifteen-section outline, the comparison is genuinely like-for-like rather than a collage of whatever each government happens to publish.

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Comparison of selected legal systems
AttributeMauritaniaReviewedSpainReviewedPeruReviewed
Legal familyMixed (Islamic law and French civil law)Civil lawCivil law
System of governmentUnitary presidential republicUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchyUnitary semi-presidential republic
ConstitutionConstitution of the Islamic Republic of MauritaniaSpanish ConstitutionPolitical Constitution of Peru
In force since199119781993
CapitalNouakchottMadridLima
Official languagesArabic, French, Pulaar, Soninke, WolofSpanishSpanish, Quechua, Aymara
CurrencyOuguiya (MRU)Euro (EUR)Peruvian sol (PEN)
Population4,900,00048,400,00034,000,000
Division of powersPresidential system with a President elected for five years, a unicameral National Assembly since the 2017 abolition of the Senate, and a judiciary that includes Sharia jurisdiction in personal status and certain criminal matters.A constitutional monarchy with the King as head of state, an executive led by the President of the Government, a bicameral parliament and an independent judiciary, overlaid by extensive regional self-government.Unitary and decentralised, with twenty-five regional governments and the Lima Metropolitan Municipality holding elected councils and administrative competence. Peasant and native communities exercise jurisdiction within their territory under Article 149 in coordination with the justices of the peace.
How law is madeBills are examined in committee and voted by the National Assembly, then promulgated by the President. The Conseil constitutionnel may be seised before promulgation.Bills pass both chambers of the Cortes Generales, with the Congress of Deputies able to override the Senate, and receive royal assent.Bills come from Congress, the executive, regional governments or citizens. A single chamber debates in committee and plenary; a second vote is required unless exempted. The President may observe a bill, and Congress insists by absolute majority. Constitutional amendment needs an absolute majority in two successive ordinary legislatures, or a two-thirds vote plus referendum.
Legal professionAvocats admitted through the Ordre national des avocats; training combines French-style procedure with Islamic legal studies.Abogados belong to local bar associations (colegios de abogados); procuradores represent parties procedurally and notaries authenticate deeds and company acts.A law degree followed by a bachiller and título de abogado, then compulsory registration with one of the departmental colegios de abogados, which hold disciplinary power. Registration in one college permits practice nationwide. Notaries are a separate profession appointed by competitive examination.

A comparison table flattens nuance by design. Where a difference matters to a decision you are making, open both portals and read the section in full — the constitutional detail behind a one-line summary is often the part that governs the outcome.