Common Law
Common law is a legal system based on judicial precedent and case law, rather than codified statutes, where court decisions establish binding principles for future cases. It originated in England and is used in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, emphasizing the role of judges in interpreting and developing the law through rulings. This system relies on the doctrine of stare decisis, meaning courts follow precedents set by higher courts to ensure consistency and predictability.
Developers should learn about common law when working on legal tech applications, compliance systems, or projects involving international regulations, as it helps understand legal frameworks in key markets like the US and UK. It is particularly useful for building AI-driven legal analysis tools, contract automation software, or systems that need to interpret case-based rules, as it provides insight into how laws evolve through judicial decisions rather than static codes.