What distinguishes "Common Law" from other legal systems?

The distinguishing feature of Common Law lies in its foundation in customs and court rulings, which serves as the core principle that shapes and evolves the law over time. Common Law is primarily based on judicial decisions made in previous cases, where judges interpret statutes and apply legal precedents, allowing for a flexible and adaptive legal system. This reliance on past court decisions forms the basis for legal reasoning and helps maintain consistency and predictability in legal outcomes.

In contrast to other legal systems, Common Law does not depend solely on written legislation but rather evolves through the accumulation of judicial interpretations and societal customs. This characteristic allows Common Law systems, such as those in the United States and England, to develop distinct legal principles that may not be explicitly codified in written laws.

Other legal systems, such as civil law systems, predominantly rely on comprehensive legislative codes to govern legal proceedings, which is a stark contrast to the Common Law's case-based approach. Additionally, the Common Law system is not limited to civil law jurisdictions or centered around religious laws, as these are features more characteristic of other legal traditions. Thus, the foundational aspect of customs and court rulings is what uniquely defines Common Law.