case law

case law

n.

The law as established by decisions of courts, especially appellate courts in published opinions.

case law

n

(Law) law established by following judicial decisions given in earlier cases. Compare statute law See also precedent¹

case′ law`

n.

law based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.

[1860–65]

case law

Law based on previous judicial decisions and precedent rather than statutes.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	case law - a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws; "common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States" common law, precedent law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	2.	case law - (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions common law, precedent service - (law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him civil law - the body of laws established by a state or nation for its own regulation