The comparative study of law accepts the view that there are differences and similarities between legal systems, and their comparison and classification into related, broader legal circles is more often based on the conventional, dogmatic method of comparing positive law. But even when legal systems are similar „on paper“ there may be differences in everyday legal reality. It is possible to „transplant“ a legal norm or institution from one system to another, but the actual result may be completely different due to surrounding authentic factors and values. Although it can be argued that there is no sufficiently distinctive definition of the concept, ie that not all comparatists are using it in the same sense, lately the usage of the concept of legal culture by comparative studies has grown significantly. Lawrence M. Friedman, the creator of the concept, considers legal culture as the third component of the legal system, along with legal institutions and legal norms, which as a network of values, attitudes and expectations related to law connects or distracts wider social strata from the legal order. The emphasis shifts from the system of positive law as a set of legal norms that exists in a particular county to the very context of written rules, that is, to the social circumstances and social interactions which condition it. Fundamental values, common beliefs, common ways of thinking and behaving of both, legal professionals and citizens themselves are taken into account, and in this regard we distinguish implicit and explicit legal culture. Thus, the main question is how society and social interests affect law and how legal rules and decisions have a reciprocal effect on social development. In this type of research, in addition to the dogmatic method, it is necessary to apply the methods of axiological and sociological research that could indicate possible discrepancies between „written law“ and legal reality or legal practice. This paper attempts to define the concept of legal culture, describe its elements and most of all point out the intensity by which legal cultures can condition the way legal orders function, and in many societies the achievement of the desired legal change.