Case Law

Case law, also known as common law or judicial precedent, is the body of law derived from judicial decisions of courts and similar tribunals, rather than from statutes or constitutions. In common law legal systems, judges' rulings on individual cases create legal principles that become binding on future courts when deciding similar cases. This principle, known as *stare decisis* (to stand by things decided), ensures consistency, predictability, and fairness in the application of law, as courts are generally obliged to follow the precedents established by higher courts in their jurisdiction.