Definition of Common Law Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Definition of Common Law - marge Paper ExampleThe name super acid fair play is also used to refer to the conventional and great established, precedent-based element in the law of any greenness-law jurisdiction, as disparate to its statutory law or legislation. As well it the term common law is also used to signify that part of the court-ordered system that did non develop out of equity, maritime law, or other special branches of practice. (Eldon)In accessory to England, common law is practiced in all of Canada except Quebec and all of the United States except Louisiana. whole of these beas follow common law and U.S. state statutes usually provide that the common law, equity, and statutes in effect in England in 1603, the first year of the reign of James I, shall be deemed part of the law of the jurisdiction. (Homes) Decisions of the English courts that were do later only have persuasive authority.There are particular characteristics and features of common law that notice it from other types of law. The one feature that distinguishes common law is the fact that it represents the law of the courts as expressed in judicial decisions. The grounds for deciding cases are found in precedents provided by past decisions, as contrasted to the courtly law system, which is based on statutes and prescribed texts. (Holmes) In addition, the system of judicial precedents, other characteristics of common law include trial by jury and the doctrine of the supremacy of the law. In the beginning, the supremacy of the law meant that not even the king was above the law however today it can be translated as marrow that acts of governmental agencies are subject to scrutiny in ordinary legal proceedings.Judicial precedents gain their army from the doctrine of stare decisis Lat., =stand by the decided matter, i.e., that the previous decisions of the highest court in the jurisdiction are binding on all other courts in the jurisdiction. (Holmes) However, in the when conditio ns change they make most decisions inapplicable except as a basis for an analogy, and a court must consequently frequently whole tone to the judicial experience of the rest of the English-speaking world. This gives the system flexibility, while general acceptance of certain haughty materials provides a degree of stability. (Eldon) On the other hand in many occurrences, the courts have failed to keep hurry with social developments. As a result of this, it has become necessary to enact statutes to bring about infallible changes. Without a doubt in recent years statutes have superseded a great deal of common law. This is especially true in the fields of commercial, administrative, and criminal law. Characteristically, however, in statutory interpretation, the courts have recourse to the doctrines of common law. (Eldon) In consequence increased legislation has limited but has not ended judicial supremacy.