case law

noun

1. law established by judicial decisions in particular cases, instead of by legislative action.

case law

noun

1. law established by following judicial decisions given in earlier cases Compare statute law See also precedent

Word History and Origins

Origin of case law¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The great challenge in the troops cases, legal scholars agree, is that they turn on a vague, century-old text with no relevant case law to help define it.

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Written briefs, oral presentations, and published opinions would provide the accounting equivalent of case law, producing a body of precedent to guide auditors, preparers, and users of financial statements.

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Rosenfield, now outside counsel to Consumer Watchdog, alleged that the changes would vest the commissioner with powers not intended by Proposition 103 and not supported by decades of case law.

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Robertson said there is case law that holds that a public entity is liable for a “dangerous condition” allowed to exist on its property that causes a fire.

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A professor of American legal history, Witt has written a book that is at its most nuanced when he’s laying out the details of trials and case law, as well as their roots and impact.

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