In the legal landscape, there exist two main families of legal systems: common law and civil law. Common law, also known as judge-made law, stands on a foundation of precedent and custom.
- Common law systems rely heavily on past court decisions, also known as precedents. When a judge makes a ruling on a particular case, it sets a legal precedent that can be applied to similar cases in the future. This creates a body of law that evolves over time, adapting to new situations while maintaining consistency.
- Common law also incorporates customs and traditions that have been established over time. These customs, if recognized by courts, can become part of the legal framework, shaping how legal issues are approached.