Canada has a common law system inherited from Britain and some of the law in Quebec is based on the civil law inherited from France. However, many countries in the world have developed very different legal systems that may have little in common with our Canadian system. For example, some countries do not agree with our idea that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Some countries do not recognize freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom to associate with anyone you choose. Some countries do not guarantee that you can have legal representation to help you or that your trial can be held in your language so that you can understand what is going on. Not only laws, but legal procedures can be different in different countries. Last Reviewed: August 2012