Final answer:
The historical development of common law is closely tied to the legal traditions and decisions of the past. Common law originated in medieval England and is a system of law developed by judges through case decisions based on precedent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The historical development of common law is closely tied to the legal traditions and decisions of the past. Common law is a system of law developed by judges through case decisions and is based on precedent. This means that when a court makes a ruling on a case, future courts are expected to respect and apply that ruling in similar cases.
Common law originated in medieval England and was inherited by the American colonies. Unlike code law systems that provide detailed and comprehensive laws, common law allows for interpretation and decision-making by judges on a case-by-case basis, giving the judicial branch a stronger role in the law-making process.
Examples of common law principles include the presumption of innocence, the idea that someone accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty, and the use of precedent to shape legal decisions.