What is common law best defined as?

• A. Law based on legislative decisions
• B. Precedents used to guide legal decisions
• C. Statutes that are enacted by parliament
• D. Disputes resolved by administrative agencies

Answer: (B)

Common law is best defined as precedents used to guide legal decisions. This body of law is developed over time through judicial decisions made in courts. When judges rule on cases, their decisions create precedents, which serve as a reference for future cases with similar facts or issues. This ensures consistency and predictability in the law, as courts are generally bound to follow the established precedents unless there is a compelling reason to deviate from them.

In contrast, the options related to legislative decisions, enacted statutes, and administrative agency disputes represent different aspects of the legal system. Laws based on legislative decisions refer to statutory law, which is created through legislative processes. Statutes enacted by parliament are another form of statutory law, focused more on written laws passed by lawmakers rather than the evolving nature of common law. Lastly, disputes resolved by administrative agencies relate to regulatory matters and the enforcement of specific statutes, rather than the broad-based principles established through common law precedents.