Which statement best defines common law?

Which statement best defines common law?

• A. Law based on case decisions and custom
• B. Law created by statutes
• C. Law created by executive orders
• D. Law derived from court precedents and customary practice

Answer: (D)

Common law develops through decisions made by judges in courts and through long-standing customs that courts recognize as binding. It grows when judges apply principles from earlier cases to new disputes, using stare decisis to keep rulings consistent while allowing rules to adapt over time. This is why law derived from court precedents and customary practice best defines common law. Statutory law comes from statutes enacted by legislatures, and executive orders are directives issued by the chief executive; while statutes and orders can shape or modify common law, the core source of common law is the evolution of judicial decisions and recognized customs.

Common law develops through decisions made by judges in courts and through long-standing customs that courts recognize as binding. It grows when judges apply principles from earlier cases to new disputes, using stare decisis to keep rulings consistent while allowing rules to adapt over time. This is why law derived from court precedents and customary practice best defines common law. Statutory law comes from statutes enacted by legislatures, and executive orders are directives issued by the chief executive; while statutes and orders can shape or modify common law, the core source of common law is the evolution of judicial decisions and recognized customs.