Which legal system is characterized by laws established through statutes and judicial precedents?

The legal system characterized by laws established through statutes and judicial precedents is known as Common Law. In this system, the law evolves through the decisions made by judges in court cases, which become part of legal precedents. These precedents guide future court rulings and provide a framework for interpretation of statutes.

Common Law is distinguished by its reliance on previous judicial rulings and the principle of stare decisis, meaning that courts will follow the interpretations of law established in earlier cases unless there is a strong reason to depart from them. This dynamic allows for adaptability in legal interpretations over time, reflecting societal changes and the evolving understanding of justice.

In contrast, Civil Law is primarily based on written statutes and codes rather than judicial decisions. International Law governs relationships between countries and is not primarily based on legislative statutes or judicial precedents of any single nation. Statutory Law refers specifically to laws enacted by legislative bodies, which can be part of either common or civil law systems but does not encompass the broad implications of the Common Law system characterized by precedent.