What does common law consist of?

Common law is primarily made up of judicial decisions that are based on precedents established in previous cases. This system relies heavily on the interpretation and rulings of judges in court, which help to create a body of law that is both flexible and adaptable to changing societal norms and circumstances. Unlike statutory law, which is created through legislative bodies and is often codified into statutes, common law evolves through the outcomes of individual cases and the legal principles established by those cases.

This reliance on judicial decisions means that the experiences and judgments rendered by judges play a crucial role in shaping the law over time, making it an integral part of the legal system in jurisdictions that adopt this approach. Through the doctrine of stare decisis, which emphasizes respecting precedents, the decisions made in one case can influence the rulings in future cases, ensuring consistency and stability in the law.