A Comparative Analysis of Blood Money and Punitive Damages in the Shiite Jurisprulence and Common Law

Blood money and punitive damages are two legal institutions with two different origins prescribed for distinct issues. However, the existence of some basic similarities necessitates the comparative study of these two institutions. These institutions deal to some extent with the goals of the civil liability system. They also have the functions of a punishment. Thus the legal nature of both institutions has been a matter of discussion in the legal systems embracing them. Explaining the legal nature of these two institutions, the present article seeks to study their basic similarities.