Another name for the Anglo-Saxon legal system is "Anglo American" or Common Law. It is a legal system originating from England which then spread to the United States and its former colonies. The word "Anglo Saxon" comes from the name of the nation that is the Angel-Saxon nation which once attacked and colonized England which was then conquered by the Normandy Hertog, William. William defended the customary law of indigenous peoples by including also the elements of law that originated in the Continental European legal system.


The name Anglo-Saxon, since the 8th century is commonly used to refer to the population of the United Kingdom, namely the Germania who came from the Anglia, Saks, and Yut tribes. That said, in 400 AD they crossed from East Germany and Southern Scandinavia to conquer the Celtic people, then founded 7 small kingdoms called Heptarchi. They were privatized between 596-655 ADAnglo-Saxon

The  legal system is based on jurisprudence, the decisions of previous judges which then form the basis of the decisions of subsequent judges. The Anglo Saxon Legal System tends to prioritize customary law, a law that runs dynamically in line with the dynamics of society. Formation of law through a judicial institution with a jurisprudence system is considered better so that the law is always in line with the sense of justice and usefulness felt by the community in real terms. This legal system is implemented in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada (except Quebec Province) and the United States (although the state of Louisiana uses this legal system in conjunction with the Continental European legal system Napoleon). In addition to these countries, several other countries have also adopted mixed Anglo-Saxon legal systems, such as Pakistan, India and Nigeria, which have adopted most of the Anglo-Saxon legal system, but also have customary and religious laws.


Judges/court decisions are the Source of law in the Anglo-Saxon legal system. In this legal system the role given to a judge is very broad. Judges function not only as the party in charge of setting and interpreting legal regulations. Judges also play a large role in shaping the whole system of community life. Judges have very broad authority to interpret applicable legal regulations. In addition, it can create a new law that will become a guideline for other judges to settle similar cases. This legal system adheres to the doctrine known as "the doctrine of precedent/Stare Decisis". This doctrine basically states that in deciding a case, a judge must base his decision on the legal principles that already exist in the decisions of other judges from previous similar cases (precedents).

In its development, this legal system recognizes the division of public and private law. Private law in the legal system is aimed more at the legal principles of property rights, the law of people, the law of treaties and about acts against the law. Public law includes legal regulations governing the power and authority of the authorities/state and relations between the community and the state. This legal system contains advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of the unwritten Anglo-Saxon law is that it has a more flexible nature and is able to adjust to the development of the times and the community because the laws that are applied are the unwritten laws (Common law). The disadvantage is that the element of legal certainty is not guaranteed well, because the legal basis for resolving cases/problems is taken from the community/unwritten customary law.