Common Law refers to court decisions in the absence of statutory law and often creates legal precedent. Which option best fits this description?

• A. Statutory Law
• B. Common Law
• C. Constitutional Law
• D. Tort

Answer: (B)

Common Law is the body of law developed by courts through decisions in individual cases, rather than statutes enacted by a legislature. It relies on precedent, meaning that past judicial rulings guide future outcomes (stare decisis). This approach comes into play especially when there is no statute covering a specific issue or when statutory language is unclear, so judges interpret and apply legal principles to resolve disputes. That’s why it’s described as arising in the absence of statutory law and often creating legal precedent.

Statutory law, by contrast, is written and enacted by legislative bodies. Constitutional law concerns the framework and fundamental rights established by a constitution. A tort is a category of civil wrong giving rise to a duty and a remedy, such as negligence, rather than a type of overarching system of law.