What does the common law encompass?

The common law encompasses rules derived from court cases that are decided based on judicial precedents rather than explicit legislative statutes. This body of law evolves over time as courts interpret and apply legal principles in specific cases, creating a framework that can be used in future similar situations. The reliance on precedents means that common law is shaped by the historical decisions made in individual cases, allowing it to adapt to changing societal norms and circumstances without needing to be enacted through formal legislation.

Options that refer to rules from legislative statutes, federal government regulations, or local ordinances pertain to statutory law, administrative law, or municipal law, respectively. These sources do not encompass the breadth and flexibility inherent in common law, which is fundamentally concerned with the court’s role in shaping legal principles through case law.