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Legal System

Common Law

Also Known As Anglo-American Law
Common Law Family

Common law is a legal system in which law develops primarily through the decisions of courts, given binding force in later similar cases through the doctrine of precedent, alongside statutes enacted by a legislature. It originated in England, where royal courts began developing a body of law common to the whole realm rather than varying by local custom, and spread through English and later British colonization to the United States, Canada, Australia, India and most other nations with a British colonial history, each of which has since developed its own distinct body of case law atop the shared inheritance.

Facts
Disputed
Origin Year
1066 2
1066, the Norman Conquest of England, is often cited as the starting point of a unified English common law, since the Norman kings began sending royal judges on circuit to apply law common to the whole kingdom rather than varying by local custom. The consolidation is more properly a gradual process spanning the eleventh through thirteenth centuries, with the reforms of Henry II in the twelfth century particularly significant, so no single year marks the system true origin.
Example Jurisdictions
England and Wales, the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and most other nations with a British colonial history. 2
Primary Source of Law
Judicial precedent, developed through the doctrine of stare decisis, alongside statute. 3
Classification
Legal Family
Common Law 1
Common Law
Filter Results19 entries
Connections

Associated With

Source Israeli Law (Wikipedia)

Includes

A. V. Dicey, Jurists
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Abatement ab initio (Wikipedia)
Source Abatement in pleading (Wikipedia)
Source Abatement of debts and legacies (Wikipedia)
Source Abuse of process (Wikipedia)
Act of State Doctrine, Doctrines

Rooted in Anglo-American common law, most fully developed in US federal courts since Underhill v. Hernandez (1897).

Source National Archives, Federal Register
Source Adversarial system (Wikipedia)
Adverse Possession, Doctrines

A common law doctrine of real property; civil law jurisdictions use analogous but distinct acquisitive prescription rules.

Source Ancient Document Rule (Wikipedia)
Source Answer (law) (Wikipedia)
Arthur Corbin, Jurists

Common law tort defense barring or reducing recovery where the plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily encountered a known risk.

Matches the existing Commonwealth v Tasmania precedent for Australian High Court rulings on this atlas.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Source Barratry (common law) (Wikipedia)
Basil Montagu, Jurists
Source Supreme Court of Canada (Wikipedia)
Source Blue pencil doctrine (Wikipedia)
Source Bona fide purchaser (Wikipedia)
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Castle Doctrine (Wikipedia)
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Caveat Emptor (Wikipedia)
Charles Viner, Jurists
Chose, Doctrines
Source Chose (Wikipedia)
Circuit court, Courts
Source Circuit court (Wikipedia)

United States federal regulatory regime, placed within the common law tradition as its domestic legal system, though the regulations themselves are agency rules rather than judge-made law.

Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Clean Hands (Wikipedia)
Source Colour of right (Wikipedia)
Source Common law offence (Wikipedia)
Source Commonwealth v Tasmania (Wikipedia)

Traditional common law tort rule barring recovery entirely where the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to the injury; still followed in a small minority of U.S. jurisdictions.

Coram nobis, Doctrines
Source Coram nobis (Wikipedia)
Source Creditors' Rights (Wikipedia)
Crossclaim, Doctrines
Source Crossclaim (Wikipedia)
Curtilage, Doctrines
Source Curtilage (Wikipedia)
Source De homine replegiando (Wikipedia)
Doctrine of Consideration, Doctrines

Consideration is required for an enforceable simple contract in common law; civil law systems instead look to cause or lack a consideration requirement.

Common law contract doctrine limiting enforcement of a contract to its own parties.

Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Due Process, Doctrines

Named here for its documented English and American constitutional lineage. Civil law systems recognize closely analogous fair-procedure guarantees under related principles, including the rule of law and the principle of legality, rather than under the same name.

Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Duty of confidentiality (Wikipedia)

Common law tort rule holding a defendant liable for the full extent of a victim's injury even if unusually severe due to a pre-existing condition.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Source Equity (law) (Wikipedia)
Escheat, Doctrines
Source Escheat (Wikipedia)
Estoppel, Doctrines
Source Estoppel (Wikipedia)
Source Wikidata: Exchequer of Pleas
Source Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus (Wikipedia)
Source Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Wikipedia)
Source Felony Murder Rule (Wikipedia)
Feoffment, Doctrines
Source Feoffment (Wikipedia)
Source Forum Non Conveniens (Wikipedia)
Source Fraudulent concealment (Wikipedia)
Source Frustration of Purpose (Wikipedia)
Giles Jacob, Jurists
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Henry Rolle, Jurists
Source Hereditament (Wikipedia)

Australia is a common law country whose High Court sits atop a federal system of state and territory common law jurisdictions.

Source High Court of Australia (Wikipedia)
Hue and cry, Doctrines
Source Hue and cry (Wikipedia)
Ignis suus, Doctrines
Source Ignis suus (Wikipedia)
Source Impossibility defense (Wikipedia)
Source Law of India (Wikipedia)
Source Indictable offence (Wikipedia)
Inquest, Doctrines
Source Inquest (Wikipedia)

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

James Kent, Jurists
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
John Cowell, Jurists
John Marshall, Jurists
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Joint and several liability (Wikipedia)
Joseph Story, Jurists
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Judicial estoppel (Wikipedia)

Named here for the documented United States common law origin of the modern doctrine through Marbury v Madison. Civil law jurisdictions developed an analogous power later, generally through a dedicated constitutional court rather than the ordinary judiciary.

Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Jury Tampering (Wikipedia)
Laches, Doctrines
Source Laches (Equity) (Wikipedia)

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

General common law procedural doctrine that a court's own prior ruling in a case governs later stages of the same case.

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Source Legal impossibility (Wikipedia)
Source The Oyez Project
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Magna Carta, Codes
Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir

Common law contract rule that acceptance is effective on dispatch rather than on receipt.

Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Mathew Bacon, Jurists
Source McKenzie Friend (Wikipedia)
Mens Rea, Doctrines
Source Mens Rea (Wikipedia)
Michael Oxley, Jurists

Legislated within the federal common law system of the United States, the same nationality-jurisdiction convention already used for John Marshall.

Source Mike Oxley (Wikipedia)
Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir

Common law contract rule requiring an acceptance to match the terms of the offer exactly or else operate as a counteroffer.

Source Misprision of Felony (Wikipedia)
Source Misprision of Treason (Wikipedia)
Source M'Naghten Rules (Wikipedia)
Nathan Dane, Jurists
Source Native Title Act 1993 (Wikipedia)
Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir

Family classification carried over from this entity's own recorded SubLabel (Common Law Family), assigned under the section-legal-systems structure wave (ruling 761) using the CIA World Factbook / JuriGlobe comparative-law family classification (system.Atlas.DataBrief, law). This edge materializes that existing classification as a connective fact; it is not a new independent research finding.

Next friend, Doctrines
Source Next friend (Wikipedia)
Source Obiter dictum (Wikipedia)
Source Obscene libel (Wikipedia)
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Parol Evidence Rule (Wikipedia)
Paul Sarbanes, Jurists

Legislated within the federal common law system of the United States, the same nationality-jurisdiction convention already used for John Marshall.

Source Paul Sarbanes (Wikipedia)
Peace (law), Doctrines
Source Peace (law) (Wikipedia)
Source Personal representative (Wikipedia)
Source The Petition of Right 1628 (legislation.gov.uk)
Source Plea in equity (Wikipedia)
Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir
Source Posse comitatus (Wikipedia)
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley

Equally foundational to common law criminal procedure, though the doctrine own documented historical origin traces to Roman law and the French Revolutionary tradition, recorded on its civil law edge.

Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Privity of contract (Wikipedia)
Source Promissory Estoppel (Wikipedia)
Qui tam, Doctrines
Source Qui tam (Wikipedia)
Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir

Matches the existing R v Oakes precedent for Canadian Supreme Court rulings on this atlas.

Source R v Oakes (Wikipedia)

Matches the existing R v Oakes precedent for Canadian Supreme Court rulings on this atlas.

Source Remainder (law) (Wikipedia)
Source Res Ipsa Loquitur (Wikipedia)
Source Res Judicata (Wikipedia)
Richard Burn, Jurists
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Rule Against Perpetuities (Wikipedia)
Rule of Law, Doctrines

Dicey's classic formulation is the doctrine's English common law statement; civil law systems recognize closely analogous fair-governance guarantees under related principles such as the principle of legality (Rechtsstaat), rather than under the same name.

Source Introduction to the Study of the Law of the ConstitutionA. V. Dicey
Source Rule of lenity (Wikipedia)
Source Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Wikipedia)

Exemplified by the United States' strict tripartite separation with reciprocal checks and balances.

Source Separation of Powers (Wikipedia)
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Slavery at common law (Wikipedia)
Source High Court of Australia (Wikipedia)
Superior court, Courts
Source Superior court (Wikipedia)

Canada is a common law country outside Quebec, whose private law is civilian; the Supreme Court sits atop both traditions.

Source Supreme Court of Canada (Wikipedia)
Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir
Trust (law), Doctrines
Source Trust (law) (Wikipedia)
Source Unconscionability (Wikipedia)

The UCC operates within the common law jurisdictions of the United States and is interpreted by common law courts, though as a comprehensively drafted statute it is itself closer in form to a civil law code than to common law's traditional judge-made rules.

Source An Introduction to Comparative LawKonrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir
Source Major Legal Systems in the World TodayRene David and John E.C. Brierley
Source Vicarious Liability (Wikipedia)
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Writ, Doctrines
Source Writ (Wikipedia)

Legal Family Of

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
Source List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Entity-backed identity for the legal family value this legal-system already carries as an enum fact, resolved to a legal-system entity by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The enum fact itself stays on the entity unchanged.

Long-Form Articles

In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Common law
Common law is the body of law primarily developed through judicial decisions rather than statutesView the Source
2. Major Legal Systems in the World Today
Rene David and John E.C. Brierley, Stevens and Sons, 1985
3. An Introduction to Comparative Law
Konrad Zweigert and Hein Koetz; English translation by Tony Weir, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1998
Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution
A. V. Dicey, Macmillan and Co., 1885Includes: Rule of Law
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
  • Includes: A. V. Dicey
  • Includes: Sir Edward Coke
  • Includes: Sir William Blackstone
  • Includes: John Marshall
  • Includes: Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
  • Includes: William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield
  • Includes: Joseph Story
  • Includes: James Kent
  • Includes: Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld
  • Includes: Catharine MacKinnon
View the Source
The Oyez Project
Includes: Lochner v. New York
Paul Sarbanes (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Paul SarbanesView the Source
Mike Oxley (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Michael OxleyView the Source
Native Title Act 1993 (Wikipedia)
Includes: Native Title Act 1993 (Australia)View the Source
National Archives, Federal Register
U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationIncludes: Administrative Procedure Act (APA)View the Source
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Wikipedia)
Includes: Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA)View the Source
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Wikipedia)
Includes: Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)View the Source
The Petition of Right 1628 (legislation.gov.uk)
Includes: Petition of Right (1628), legislation.gov.uk entry, Petition of Right 1628View the Source
Supreme Court of Canada (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Includes: Supreme Court of Canada, Founding section - in-legal-system
  • Includes: Beverley McLachlin, Founding section - in-legal-system
    Supreme Court of Canada operates within the Common Law legal system.
View the Source
High Court of Australia (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Includes: High Court of Australia, Founding section - in-legal-system
  • Includes: Stephen Gageler, Founding section - in-legal-system
    High Court of Australia operates within the Common Law legal system.
View the Source
Separation of Powers (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Separation of Powers, Checks and balances section - in-legal-system common-law
Quote, Includes: Separation of Powers, Checks and balances section - in-legal-system common-law
Checks and balances...intends for each institution to have some influence over the other
View the Source
Mens Rea (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Mens Rea, Lead paragraph - in-legal-system
Quote, Includes: Mens Rea, Lead paragraph - in-legal-system
In common law jurisdictions, most crimes require proof both of mens rea and actus reus ("guilty act") before the defendant can be found guilty.
View the Source
R v Oakes (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: R v Oakes, Case summary - in-legal-systemView the Source
Commonwealth v Tasmania (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Commonwealth v Tasmania, Significance section - in-legal-systemView the Source
Estoppel (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Estoppel, Jurisdictional Differences sectionView the Source
Res Judicata (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Res Judicata, Jurisdictional Differences sectionView the Source
Law of India (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Indian Legal SystemView the Source
Israeli Law (Wikipedia)
WikipediaAssociated With: Israeli LawView the Source
Rule Against Perpetuities (Wikipedia)
Includes: Rule Against PerpetuitiesView the Source
M'Naghten Rules (Wikipedia)
Includes: M'Naghten RulesView the Source
Clean Hands (Wikipedia)
Includes: Clean Hands DoctrineView the Source
Frustration of Purpose (Wikipedia)
Includes: Frustration of PurposeView the Source
Castle Doctrine (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Castle DoctrineView the Source
Felony Murder Rule (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Felony Murder RuleView the Source
Forum Non Conveniens (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Forum Non ConveniensView the Source
Laches (Equity) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: LachesView the Source
Parol Evidence Rule (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Parol Evidence RuleView the Source
Promissory Estoppel (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Promissory EstoppelView the Source
Unconscionability (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: UnconscionabilityView the Source
Caveat Emptor (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Caveat EmptorView the Source
Res Ipsa Loquitur (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Res Ipsa LoquiturView the Source
Vicarious Liability (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Vicarious LiabilityView the Source
Misprision of Felony (Wikipedia)
Includes: Misprision of felony, Lead, offense description
Quote, Includes: Misprision of felony, Lead, offense description
Misprision of felony is a common law offense
View the Source
Jury Tampering (Wikipedia)
Includes: Jury tampering, Lead and Criminal Justice Act 2003 section
Quote, Includes: Jury tampering, Lead and Criminal Justice Act 2003 section
the Criminal Justice Act 2003 enables non-jury trials when tampering occurs
View the Source
Misprision of Treason (Wikipedia)
Includes: Misprision of treason, Lead, offense description
Quote, Includes: Misprision of treason, Lead, offense description
an offence found in many common law jurisdictions around the world, having been inherited from English law
View the Source
McKenzie Friend (Wikipedia)
Includes: McKenzie friend, Origin, McKenzie v McKenzie case
Quote, Includes: McKenzie friend, Origin, McKenzie v McKenzie case
the judge's intervention had deprived McKenzie of the assistance to which he was entitled
View the Source
Ancient Document Rule (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ancient document, Federal Rules of Evidence section
Quote, Includes: Ancient document, Federal Rules of Evidence section
Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, a writing qualifies as ancient
View the Source
Creditors' Rights (Wikipedia)
Includes: Creditors' rights, Lead, procedural provisions description
Quote, Includes: Creditors' rights, Lead, procedural provisions description
the procedural provisions designed to protect the ability of creditors
View the Source
List of national legal systems (Wikipedia)
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Myanmar, Section: Common law
    Myanmar
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Uganda, Section: Common law
    Uganda
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Ghana, Section: Common law
    Ghana
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Papua New Guinea, Section: Common law
    Papua New Guinea
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Barbados, Section: Common law
    Barbados
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Belize, Section: Common law
    Belize
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Dominica, Section: Common law
    Dominica
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Fiji, Section: Common law
    Fiji
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Grenada, Section: Common law
    Grenada
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Trinidad and Tobago, Section: Common law
    Trinidad and Tobago
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Jamaica, Section: Common law
    Jamaica
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Liberia, Section: Common law
    Liberia
  • Legal Family Of: Law of Tonga, Section: Common law
    Tonga
View the Source
Wikidata: Exchequer of Pleas
Includes: Exchequer of Pleas, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Exchequer of Pleas, Wikipedia lead sentence
of its jurisdiction', namely its function as a Court of Common Law for the adjudication of Civil Pleas
View the Source
Circuit court (Wikipedia)
Includes: Circuit court, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Circuit court, Wikipedia lead sentence
Circuit courts are court systems in several common law jurisdictions
View the Source
Superior court (Wikipedia)
Includes: Superior court, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Superior court, Wikipedia lead sentence
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general jurisdiction over civil and criminal legal cases
View the Source
Adversarial system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Adversarial system, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Adversarial system, Wikipedia lead sentence
or accusatory system, is a legal system used in the common law countries where two advocates represent their parties' case or position before
View the Source
Curtilage (Wikipedia)
Includes: Curtilage, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Curtilage, Wikipedia lead sentence
In common law, the curtilage of a house or dwelling is the land immediately surrounding it, including any closely associated buildings and structures,
View the Source
Equity (law) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Equity (law), Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Equity (law), Wikipedia lead sentence
In law, particularly in common law jurisdictions, equity is the body of law that historically developed in the English Court of Chancery, which create
View the Source
Posse comitatus (Wikipedia)
Includes: Posse comitatus, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Posse comitatus, Wikipedia lead sentence
a retinue or gang"), frequently shortened to posse, is in common law a group of people mobilized to suppress lawlessness, defend the people, or othe
View the Source
Inquest (Wikipedia)
Includes: Inquest, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Inquest, Wikipedia lead sentence
An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to determine the cause of a person's death
View the Source
Escheat (Wikipedia)
Includes: Escheat, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Escheat, Wikipedia lead sentence
Escheat (from Latin excidere 'fall away') is a common law doctrine that transfers the real property of a person who has died without heirs to the gove
View the Source
Joint and several liability (Wikipedia)
Includes: Joint and several liability, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Joint and several liability, Wikipedia lead sentence
are liable in respect of the same liability, in most common law legal systems they may either be: severally liable, or jointly liable, or joint
View the Source
Indictable offence (Wikipedia)
Includes: Indictable offence, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Indictable offence, Wikipedia lead sentence
In many common law jurisdictions (e.g., England and Wales, Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore), an indicta
View the Source
Abatement ab initio (Wikipedia)
Includes: Abatement ab initio, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Abatement ab initio, Wikipedia lead sentence
Abatement ab initio (Latin for "from the beginning") is a common law legal doctrine that states that the death of a defendant who is appealing a crimi
View the Source
Privity of contract (Wikipedia)
Includes: Privity of contract, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Privity of contract, Wikipedia lead sentence
The doctrine of privity of contract is a common law principle which provides that a contract cannot confer rights or impose obligations upon anyone wh
View the Source
Bona fide purchaser (Wikipedia)
Includes: Bona fide purchaser, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Bona fide purchaser, Wikipedia lead sentence
for value without notice, is a term used predominantly in common law jurisdictions in the law of real property and personal property to refer to an
View the Source
Peace (law) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Peace (law), Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Peace (law), Wikipedia lead sentence
king's peace (Latin: pax regis) or queen's peace, is the common-law concept of the maintenance of public order
View the Source
Barratry (common law) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Barratry (common law), Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Barratry (common law), Wikipedia lead sentence
barat ("deceit, trickery")) is a legal term that, at common law, described a criminal offence committed by people who are overly officious in i
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Common law offence (Wikipedia)
Includes: Common law offence, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Common law offence, Wikipedia lead sentence
Common law offences are crimes under English criminal law, the related criminal law of some Commonwealth countries, and under some U.S. state laws
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Judicial estoppel (Wikipedia)
Includes: Judicial estoppel, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Judicial estoppel, Wikipedia lead sentence
In the common law, judicial estoppel (also known as estoppel by inconsistent positions) is an estoppel that precludes a party from taking a position i
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Chose (Wikipedia)
Includes: Chose, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Chose, Wikipedia lead sentence
Chose (pronounced: , French for "thing") is a term used in common law tradition to refer to rights in property, specifically a combined bundle of righ
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Next friend (Wikipedia)
Includes: Next friend, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Next friend, Wikipedia lead sentence
In common law, a next friend (Law French prochein ami) is a person who represents another person who is under age, or, because of disability or otherw
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Remainder (law) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Remainder (law), Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Remainder (law), Wikipedia lead sentence
law of the United Kingdom and the United States and other common law countries, a remainder is a future interest given to a person (who is referred
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Blue pencil doctrine (Wikipedia)
Includes: Blue pencil doctrine, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Blue pencil doctrine, Wikipedia lead sentence
The blue pencil doctrine is a legal concept in common law countries in which a court finds that portions of a contract are void or unenforceable, but
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Plea in equity (Wikipedia)
Includes: Plea in equity, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Plea in equity, Wikipedia lead sentence
A plea in equity, in the common law, is a statement of facts raised by a defendant which operates as a defense to an equitable claim raised by the pla
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Personal representative (Wikipedia)
Includes: Personal representative, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Personal representative, Wikipedia lead sentence
In common law jurisdictions, a personal representative or legal personal representative is a person appointed by a court to administer the estate of a
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Duty of confidentiality (Wikipedia)
Includes: Duty of confidentiality, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Duty of confidentiality, Wikipedia lead sentence
In common law jurisdictions, the duty of confidentiality obliges solicitors (or attorneys) to respect the confidentiality of their clients' affairs
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Slavery at common law (Wikipedia)
Includes: Slavery at common law, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Slavery at common law, Wikipedia lead sentence
Slavery at common law in the British Empire developed slowly over centuries, and was characterised by inconsistent decisions and varying rationales fo
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Hereditament (Wikipedia)
Includes: Hereditament, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Hereditament, Wikipedia lead sentence
In common law, a hereditament (from Latin hereditare, to inherit, from heres, heir) is any kind of property that can be inherited
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Legal impossibility (Wikipedia)
Includes: Legal impossibility, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Legal impossibility, Wikipedia lead sentence
Legal impossibility is a traditional common law defense to a charge of an attempted crime
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Fraudulent concealment (Wikipedia)
Includes: Fraudulent concealment, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Fraudulent concealment, Wikipedia lead sentence
Fraudulent concealment is a common law doctrine that may be invoked to toll a statute of limitations
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Abatement of debts and legacies (Wikipedia)
Includes: Abatement of debts and legacies, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Abatement of debts and legacies, Wikipedia lead sentence
Abatement of debts and legacies is a common law doctrine of wills that holds that when the equitable assets of a deceased person are not sufficient to
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Abatement in pleading (Wikipedia)
Includes: Abatement in pleading, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Abatement in pleading, Wikipedia lead sentence
in pleading, or plea in abatement, was a defence in common law to legal proceedings that did not contest the principle of the plaintiff's righ
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Colour of right (Wikipedia)
Includes: Colour of right, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Colour of right, Wikipedia lead sentence
referred to as a claim of right, is the legal concept in common law countries of an accused's permission to the usage or conversion of an asset in
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Obscene libel (Wikipedia)
Includes: Obscene libel, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Obscene libel, Wikipedia lead sentence
publication of an obscene libel was an offence under the common law of England
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Ignis suus (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ignis suus, Wikipedia lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Ignis suus, Wikipedia lead sentence
Ignis suus (his fire; Latin), sometimes ignus suus, is a common law principle relating to an occupier's liability over damage caused by the spread of
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Writ (Wikipedia)
Includes: Writ, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Writ, Introduction
In common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction; in modern usage, this body is generally a court.
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Trust (law) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Trust (law), Introduction
Quote, Includes: Trust (law), Introduction
In the English common law, the party who entrusts the property is known as the "settlor," the party to whom it is entrusted is known as the "trustee," the party for whose benefit the property is entrusted is known as the "beneficiary," and the entrusted property is known as the "corpus" or "trust property." A testamentary trust is an irrevocable trust established and funded pursuant to the terms of a deceased person's will.
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Obiter dictum (Wikipedia)
Includes: Obiter dictum, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Obiter dictum, Introduction
The concept as used in law derives from English common law, whereby a judgment comprises only two elements: ratio decidendi and obiter dicta.
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Qui tam (Wikipedia)
Includes: Qui tam, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Qui tam, Introduction
In common law, a writ of qui tam is a writ through which private individuals who assist a prosecution can receive for themselves all or part of the damages or financial penalties recovered by the government as a result of the prosecution.
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Feoffment (Wikipedia)
Includes: Feoffment, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Feoffment, Introduction
The common law of estates in land grew from this concept.
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Abuse of process (Wikipedia)
Includes: Abuse of process, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Abuse of process, Introduction
In common law it is classified as a tort distinct from the intentional tort of malicious prosecution.
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Hue and cry (Wikipedia)
Includes: Hue and cry, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Hue and cry, Introduction
In common law, a hue and cry is a process by which bystanders are summoned to assist in the apprehension of a criminal who has been witnessed in the act of committing a crime (cf.
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Coram nobis (Wikipedia)
Includes: Coram nobis, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Coram nobis, Introduction
In the United Kingdom, the common law writ is superseded by the Common Law Procedure Act 1852 (15 & 16 Vict.
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Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus (Wikipedia)
Includes: Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus, Introduction
At common law, it is the legal principle that a witness who falsely testifies about one matter is not credible to testify about any matter.
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Impossibility defense (Wikipedia)
Includes: Impossibility defense, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Impossibility defense, Introduction
Factual impossibility is rarely an adequate defense at common law.
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Answer (law) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Answer (law), Introduction
Quote, Includes: Answer (law), Introduction
In the common law, an answer is the first pleading by a defendant, usually filed and served upon the plaintiff within a certain strict time limit after a civil complaint or criminal information or indictment has been served upon the defendant.
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Rule of lenity (Wikipedia)
Includes: Rule of lenity, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Rule of lenity, Introduction
The rule has a long history in the English and American common law tradition and has been an important element of the relationship between the courts and the legislature, but its role in modern jurisprudence is less clear.
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Crossclaim (Wikipedia)
Includes: Crossclaim, Introduction
Quote, Includes: Crossclaim, Introduction
In common law, a crossclaim is a demand made in a pleading that is filed against a party which is on the "same side" of the lawsuit.
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De homine replegiando (Wikipedia)
Includes: De homine replegiando, Introduction
Quote, Includes: De homine replegiando, Introduction
It is the oldest common law freedom writ.
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