What is the common law?

Common law is a body of law that is based on the customs and principles that have developed over time through court decisions and decisions of other tribunals. It is a legal system that is continually changing and evolving. In Virginia, common law originated from Britain and is still used as a source of law today. Common law is based on the decisions of judges, rather than laws passed by the legislature. Judges interpret laws, weigh evidence and make decisions about what the law should be in specific cases and situations. These decisions become part of the larger body of common law, and over time, this body of law develops into a system of laws that govern us in our everyday lives. For example, contracts are an area of law that is mainly governed by common law principles. Most of the principles that govern contracts in Virginia are based on the precedent set by earlier court decisions. This includes important things like the obligations of parties to contracts, how a contract should be interpreted, and how contracts can be enforced. Common law is an important source of law in Virginia, and it continues to be an important part of our legal system. It is a source of law that is constantly changing and evolving, and it is important to understand its principles in order to make sure that contracts, and other areas of law, are properly understood and enforced.

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