What is common law?

Common law refers to a legal system developed through judicial decisions and customs rather than through written statutes or legislative enactments. This body of law is characterized by the principle of precedent, where past judicial decisions influence future cases. In essence, common law evolves through the rulings of judges in individual cases, creating a set of legal principles that are applied consistently over time.

The nature of common law permits it to adapt and evolve to changing societal norms and values, as it is based on the specific circumstances of individual cases. This allows for greater flexibility compared to statutory law, which is fixed once written. As judicial decisions continue to be made, they build upon the body of common law, refining and reshaping it in response to contemporary issues.

The other choices describe different aspects of law. Statutory law, for instance, is explicitly written and enacted by legislative bodies. Therefore, choices that refer exclusively to statutes or specific applications in federal cases do not capture the essence of what common law represents.