Which of the following is an example of common law?

Which of the following is an example of common law?

• A. Regulations passed by governmental agencies
• B. Court decisions established as precedents
• C. Laws made by elected representatives
• D. International treaties governing trade

Answer: (B)

Common law is a legal system that is primarily based on court decisions and judicial precedents rather than on legislative statutes or executive branch action. It evolves through the judgments made in individual cases, which create legal principles that can be applied in future cases. When a court decides a case, the reasoning and legal principles established in that decision can serve as a precedent for subsequent cases, guiding future court behavior. In this context, court decisions established as precedents directly illustrate how common law operates, as these rulings become part of the legal framework that influences future case law. This is in contrast to the other options, which represent different sources of law. For instance, regulations passed by governmental agencies are part of administrative law, while laws made by elected representatives are referred to as statutory law. International treaties governing trade fall under international law. Thus, option B distinctly represents the essence of common law through the creation and application of precedential rulings.

Common law is a legal system that is primarily based on court decisions and judicial precedents rather than on legislative statutes or executive branch action. It evolves through the judgments made in individual cases, which create legal principles that can be applied in future cases. When a court decides a case, the reasoning and legal principles established in that decision can serve as a precedent for subsequent cases, guiding future court behavior.

In this context, court decisions established as precedents directly illustrate how common law operates, as these rulings become part of the legal framework that influences future case law. This is in contrast to the other options, which represent different sources of law. For instance, regulations passed by governmental agencies are part of administrative law, while laws made by elected representatives are referred to as statutory law. International treaties governing trade fall under international law. Thus, option B distinctly represents the essence of common law through the creation and application of precedential rulings.