What does case law refer to?

Case law refers to the printed decisions and opinions issued by appellate courts, serving as a significant source of legal authority. It encompasses the body of law resulting from judicial interpretations of statutes, regulations, and constitutional provisions. These decisions set precedents that guide future cases, influencing how laws are applied and interpreted over time.

This understanding of case law is crucial for legal practitioners and those preparing for the Certified Deposition Reporter exam, as it relates to the application and evolution of law in various jurisdictions. Unlike statutory regulations, which are enacted by legislatures, or local court rulings that may pertain to specific cases without having broad applicability, case law creates a framework for how laws are understood and enforced across a range of situations. International legal standards, while significant in their own right, fall outside the scope of what is traditionally defined as case law within a domestic legal system.