common-law

¹ American  

[kom-uhn-law] / ˈkɒm ənˈlɔ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or established by common law.

   a common-law spouse.

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common law ² American  

[kom-uhn law] / ˈkɒm ən ˈlɔ /

noun

1. the system of law originating in England, as distinct from the civil or Roman law and the canon or ecclesiastical law.

2. the unwritten law, especially of England, based on custom or court decision, as distinct from statute law.

3. the law administered through the system of courts established for the purpose, as distinct from equity or admiralty.

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common law British  

noun

1. the body of law based on judicial decisions and custom, as distinct from statute law

2. the law of a state that is of general application, as distinct from regional customs

3.  common-law.  (modifier) denoting a marriage deemed to exist after a couple have cohabited for several years

   common-law marriage

   common-law wife

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common law Cultural  

1. Law developed in the course of time from the rulings of judges, as opposed to law embodied in statutes passed by legislatures (statutory law) or law embodied in a written constitution (constitutional law). (See stare decisis.)

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Discover More

The importance of common law is particularly stressed in the legal system of Britain, on which the legal system of the United States is based.

Etymology

Origin of common-law¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Origin of common law¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

Under common law, liability for “aiding and abetting” is reserved for parties that consciously induce or assist wrongdoing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Centuries of Anglo-American legal tradition, common law and Minnesota law recognize home equity as private property.

From Washington Post

The justices noted there may still be common law protections but said that’s up for the lower courts to decide at this stage of the case.

From Washington Times

He added that “many thorny questions lie down the ‘common law’ path, and the court fails to supply guidance on how to resolve any of them.”

From New York Times

But the court's majority found that the 2nd Circuit did not fully consider whether the bank has immunity under "common law" principles.

From Reuters