Case Law

Also known as Common Law. The law created by judges when deciding individual disputes or cases. Non-statutory law.

Legal principles that are developed by appellate courts when deciding appeals are collectively termed the case law or common law. Since the 12th century, the common law has been England's primary system of law. When the United States became independent, states adopted the English common law as their law. Since that time, decisions by U.S. courts have developed a body of U.S. case law which has superseded English common law in most areas.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.

The entire collection of published legal decisions of the courts which, because of stare decisis, contributes a large part of the legal rules which apply in modern society. - (read more on Case law)