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Case Law - Dictionary Page

Case Law

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/keɪs lɔː/

Definitions

  1. A body of law established by the outcomes of previous court cases, where legal principles and rulings are derived from judicial decisions rather than statutes or regulations.
  2. Legal precedent established through judicial decisions that serve as an authoritative source for resolving future legal cases with similar facts or issues.

Usage Examples

  • The lawyer referenced case law to argue that the decision in the previous case was relevant to the current lawsuit.
  • Case law plays an essential role in common law systems, where decisions by higher courts are binding on lower courts.

Etymology

From "case," referring to legal cases or lawsuits, and "law," derived from Old English lagu, meaning "rule" or "law."

Synonyms

  • Legal precedent
  • Judicial decisions
  • Case precedent

Antonyms

  • Statutory law
  • Civil code
  • Regulatory law

Translations

Language Translation Pronunciation
Spanish Jurisprudencia /xuɾisˈpruðenθja/
French Droit jurisprudentiel /dʁwa ʒuʁispʁydɑ̃sjɛl/
German Rechtsprechung /ˈʁɛçtʃpʁeːxʊŋ/
Chinese (Mandarin) 判例法 /pànlì fǎ/

Regional Pronunciation Variations

Pronunciation may vary slightly in different English dialects, but it is commonly consistent across legal contexts.

Historical Usage

The term "case law" has been in use since the development of common law systems in medieval England, where judicial decisions became a key source of law alongside statutes.

Cultural Nuances

In common law systems, case law holds a central position, whereas in civil law countries, statutes and codes are more dominant. The interpretation of case law may also vary based on cultural and legal traditions of different jurisdictions.

More Information

Case law refers to the body of law developed through judicial decisions in individual court cases, as opposed to laws passed by legislative bodies or regulations issued by administrative agencies. It is most commonly associated with common law systems, where judicial rulings establish precedents that guide future legal decisions. In countries with common law systems, like the United States and the United Kingdom, case law serves as a foundational element of the legal system. Judicial decisions are often published, allowing them to be cited and used as references in future cases. The concept of case law plays a critical role in shaping the interpretation of laws, and it can evolve over time as courts interpret and apply existing statutes to new situations. Over time, case law has been instrumental in the development of legal doctrines, ensuring that laws adapt to changes in society and technology.

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