Which classification of law is derived from court decisions rather than enacted statutes?

Which classification of law is derived from court decisions rather than enacted statutes?

• A. Statutory law
• B. Common law
• C. Codified
• D. Cy-pres doctrine

Answer: (B)

Common law is law that originates from court decisions rather than statutes enacted by a legislature. In a common law system, judges interpret cases and, through their rulings, establish legal principles that guide future decisions. These principles become precedents that bind courts in similar situations via the doctrine of stare decisis, allowing the law to develop gradually through judicial interpretation and application. By contrast, statutory law consists of rules created by lawmakers, while codified refers to statutes that have been collected and organized into a code. The cy-pres doctrine is a specific equitable principle used in trusts to fulfill a donor’s intent when the exact original purpose cannot be achieved. It is not a general classification of law.

Common law is law that originates from court decisions rather than statutes enacted by a legislature. In a common law system, judges interpret cases and, through their rulings, establish legal principles that guide future decisions. These principles become precedents that bind courts in similar situations via the doctrine of stare decisis, allowing the law to develop gradually through judicial interpretation and application.

By contrast, statutory law consists of rules created by lawmakers, while codified refers to statutes that have been collected and organized into a code. The cy-pres doctrine is a specific equitable principle used in trusts to fulfill a donor’s intent when the exact original purpose cannot be achieved. It is not a general classification of law.