Which category of law is established by precedents and case law?

Common law is a category of law that is developed through court decisions and judicial precedents rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action. It relies on the principle of stare decisis, which means that courts follow previous rulings when the same points arise again in litigation. This body of law evolves over time as judges interpret statutes and set legal precedents.

In contrast, criminal law primarily deals with actions that are offenses against the state and can involve prosecution by the government. Civil law pertains to disputes between private individuals or entities, and while it can involve precedents, it is often guided by specific statutes as well. Statute law refers to laws that have been enacted by a legislative body and is distinct from the functional evolution of common law, which originates from judicial rulings.