Which statement correctly defines Case Law?

Which statement correctly defines Case Law?

• A. The body of binding laws created by statutes
• B. The decisions of the executive branch
• C. The body of prior judicial decisions that guides judges
• D. The regulations issued by agencies

Answer: (C)

Case law is the collection of decisions written by courts in past cases that judges use as guidance when deciding new ones. These opinions establish rules and standards through the doctrine of stare decisis, so similar situations are handled consistently across cases. The body grows as courts interpret and apply statutes and resolve disputes about how laws should be understood, filling gaps where statutes are silent or unclear. This is different from statutes, which are laws created by the legislature, and from regulations issued by agencies, which are rules created by administrative bodies. It’s also separate from executive decisions, which are actions taken by the executive branch rather than judicial decisions shaping future cases. So the correct description is the body of prior judicial decisions that guides judges.

Case law is the collection of decisions written by courts in past cases that judges use as guidance when deciding new ones. These opinions establish rules and standards through the doctrine of stare decisis, so similar situations are handled consistently across cases. The body grows as courts interpret and apply statutes and resolve disputes about how laws should be understood, filling gaps where statutes are silent or unclear. This is different from statutes, which are laws created by the legislature, and from regulations issued by agencies, which are rules created by administrative bodies. It’s also separate from executive decisions, which are actions taken by the executive branch rather than judicial decisions shaping future cases. So the correct description is the body of prior judicial decisions that guides judges.