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What is the Common Law?
The Common Law is the traditional legal system of England developed over centuries that was inherited by the United States during its days as colonies of Great Britain. The Common Law framework forms the basis for the legal systems in all English-speaking countries in the world, including: Australia, Bermuda, Canada, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
For cultural and political reasons, many countries within the Common Law tradition have made modifications to the system, which in some cases include legal codes and non-jurisprudential normative instruments. Nevertheless, legal jurisprudence and Common Law methodology has retained its fundamental character across the world.
Known for predictability and practicality, Common Law modalities and institutions have become the choice for most international commercial transactions. Although just 6.41% of the world’s population lives in purely Common Law jurisdictions, countries governed under the Common Law represent 37% of the world’s economy (Source: University of Ottawa Law Faculty)
