What does common law refer to?

Common law refers to a body of unwritten laws that are based on legal precedents established by the courts. This system of law develops over time through the judgments and decisions made by judges in individual cases, and it relies heavily on the concept of following precedents set by previous legal rulings.

By its nature, common law evolves through the usage and general acceptance of certain principles and rules by society and within the legal community. It contrasts with statutory law, which is written and enacted by legislative bodies. This is why the idea of unwritten law is crucial; it acknowledges the role that historical court decisions and societal customs play in shaping legal standards that may not be codified in statutes.

In summary, the essence of common law lies in its foundation on established traditions and judicial opinions rather than on written statutes or formal codes, making it an important aspect of the legal system that operates alongside and sometimes interacts with statutory law.