Common Law

In a common law system, judges' decisions in past cases (judicial precedents) serve as the primary source of law, guiding future legal decisions.

Stare decisis is the legal principle that lower courts must follow the decisions of higher courts, ensuring consistency and predictability in the law.

In a common law system, judges' primary role is to interpret and apply existing laws to specific cases, rather than creating new laws.

Overruling is the process by which a higher court declares a previous judicial precedent to be no longer valid, effectively changing the law.

Double jeopardy is the legal principle that protects individuals from being tried for the same crime twice, ensuring that they are not punished multiple times for the same offense.

Judicial review is the power of a court to examine a law and determine whether it violates the constitution, ensuring that laws comply with the fundamental principles of the legal system.

Eminent domain is the legal principle that allows the government to take private property for public use, provided that just compensation is paid to the property owner.

In a common law system, statutes are primarily used to create new laws or modify existing ones, while judicial precedents guide the interpretation and application of those laws.

Equal protection is the legal principle that all individuals are entitled to equal protection under the law, ensuring that laws are applied fairly and consistently to all.

Habeas corpus is the legal doctrine that allows a court to issue an order requiring a person to be brought before the court, ensuring that individuals are not unlawfully detained.

Due process is the legal principle that ensures that individuals are not deprived of life, liberty, or property without following fair and reasonable legal procedures.

Statutory interpretation is the process of interpreting and applying statutes, ensuring that they are applied in a consistent and fair manner.

In some common law systems, legal codes provide a comprehensive set of laws that cover various areas of law, such as criminal law, contract law, and property law.

Directed verdict is the legal principle that allows a court to dismiss a case due to insufficient evidence, preventing the case from going to trial.

Appeal is the process of challenging a court decision by bringing it to a higher court for review, seeking to overturn or modify the original decision.