Legal precedent

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. Law or system of laws established based on judicial precedent rather than on statutory laws created by legislation.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ After a consideration of the theories, the case law from both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries will be examined. ▪ Because the Internet is new, there is little relevant case law in this area. ▪ It is helpful therefore to ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. 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" [syn: common law , precedent ] (civil law) a law established by following ...