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The common law is the legal system which developed in [[England]] from about the 12th century and continues there and in former and current British territories and [[colony|colonies]].  It is a system whereby legal rules are based on court decisions (precedents) rather than statutes passed by the legislatures. It was referred to as the common law because it was (and remains) common to all of England. The [[United States]] (except for [[Louisiana]]) and the [[United Kingdom]] are two prominent countries that have a common law legal system. The [[International Court of Justice|ICJ ]] also uses common law.

The '''common law''' is the legal system which developed in [[England]] from about the 12th century and continues there and in former and current British territories and [[colony|colonies]].  It is a system whereby legal rules are based on court decisions (precedents) rather than statutes passed by the legislatures. It was referred to as the common law because it was (and remains) common to all of England. The [[United States]] (except for [[Louisiana]]) and the [[United Kingdom]] are two prominent countries that have a common law legal system. The [[International Court of Justice|ICJ ]] also uses common law.

The term is used to denote three distinct concepts:

The term is used to denote three distinct concepts: