Whose empire left its law behind?
Many countries still use legal ideas, codes and court structures brought by an empire. The colour shows the main empire, not the only one: countries were often ruled by more than one power, and imperial law always met local custom and religion. The map is a starting point for seeing why legal systems look the way they do.
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Which empire's law shaped the country's legal system most?
British Empire (58)
French Empire (26)
Spanish Empire (20)
Portuguese Empire (7)
Dutch, Belgian, German or Italian empires (10)
Russian Empire or Soviet Union (11)
Not colonised by a European power (8)
Read this before you quote the map
- Many countries were ruled by more than one empire in turn. The map shows the empire whose law left the clearest mark on the legal system, which is sometimes a matter of judgment.
- Colonial law did not replace local customary or religious law. In many countries all three still operate together.
- 'Not colonised' means not colonised by a European power. China, Iran, Afghanistan and Thailand felt strong foreign pressure without becoming colonies.
- Territories and countries with a disputed status are not coloured, and neither are countries we have not checked.
Sources
Cite this map
TheLawToKnow Tools. Legal World Maps: Whose empire left its law behind?. https://tools.thelawtoknow.com/legal-world-maps/colonial-heritage.
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Other maps
Monarchy or republic?Federal or unitary?Who can strike down a law?Juries and lay judgesOne chamber or two?How is the government chosen and held to account?Separate administrative courts or one set of courts?One family law for all, or by community?
