Final answer:
Common law evolves through judicial decisions based on precedent and is key in jurisdictions like the United States, where judges have significant interpretive authority. It contrasts with civil law systems and is not drawn from religious sources or universally applied.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term ‘common law’ best describes the legal system that evolves over time through judicial decisions, as opposed to statutes made by the legislature or regulations issued by the executive. The common law is largely based on precedent, which means that it respects the decisions and actions of previous courts and expects future courts to uphold these rulings when similar cases are presented. This allows for an organic growth of the law, adapting to new situations and societal changes while providing consistency and predictability in its application. Judges play a critical role in shaping common law by interpreting the law and applying it to the facts of individual cases.
Common law is a key characteristic of the legal system in the United States and other former British colonies. In contrast to civil law systems, where laws are codified and judges have less interpretive authority, common law systems allow for a more dynamic and judge-involved law-making process. It should be noted that common law does not apply to all global jurisdictions and is not drawn from religious sources, rather it has historical roots in medieval England and has been adopted and adapted by various jurisdictions such as the United States.