Common law consists of:

Common law consists of:

• A. Written statutes enacted by the legislature
• B. Regulatory codes published by the executive branch
• C. Oral traditions derived from general customs, principles, and rules handed down over the years and reflected in the decisions of the courts
• D. International treaties adopted by the court

Answer: (C)

Common law is law developed by judges through court decisions, grounded in long-standing customs and general principles that courts recognize and apply over time. It grows through precedent, so earlier rulings guide future cases, creating a body of rules that fill gaps where statutes are silent or ambiguous. This tradition is unwritten in a formal code, though many of its rules may later be written down or codified; its origin lies in judicial opinions and the customary practices they reflect. It differs from statutory law, which consists of written laws enacted by the legislature, from regulatory codes created by executive agencies, and from international treaties between nations.

Common law is law developed by judges through court decisions, grounded in long-standing customs and general principles that courts recognize and apply over time. It grows through precedent, so earlier rulings guide future cases, creating a body of rules that fill gaps where statutes are silent or ambiguous. This tradition is unwritten in a formal code, though many of its rules may later be written down or codified; its origin lies in judicial opinions and the customary practices they reflect. It differs from statutory law, which consists of written laws enacted by the legislature, from regulatory codes created by executive agencies, and from international treaties between nations.