What is an example of a common law?

What is an example of a common law?

Common law is defined as a body of legal rules that have been made by judges as they issue rulings on cases, as opposed to rules and laws made by the legislature or in official statutes. An example of common law is a rule that a judge made that says that people have a duty to read contracts.

How did the common law develop?

Common law is developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals (also called case law), rather than through legislative statues or executive branch action. Thereafter, the new decision becomes precedent, and will bind future courts.

What is the difference between common law and civil law?

The main difference between the two systems is that in common law countries, case law — in the form of published judicial opinions — is of primary importance, whereas in civil law systems, codified statutes predominate.