The Spanish legal tradition is primarily based on civil law, which emphasizes written codes and statutes. This system has its roots in the Roman law and has evolved through various historical influences, including the Visigothic and Islamic periods. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 serves as the foundation of the legal framework, ensuring the protection of individual rights and the separation of powers. In Spain, laws are created by the Cortes Generales, which consists of two chambers: the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. The judiciary is independent, with the Supreme Court being the highest authority. Legal proceedings are typically formal, and the role of judges is to interpret and apply the law rather than create it.