Which term describes law that emerges from court rulings rather than statutes?

• A. Case Law
• B. Statutory Law
• C. Constitutional Law
• D. Administrative Law

Answer: (D)

Law that emerges from court rulings is known as case law, or common law. It develops as judges resolve disputes, interpret existing statutes, and apply legal principles to new situations. When a statute doesn’t address a particular issue, or is ambiguous, the judge’s decision creates rules that future courts must follow, establishing precedent. This reliance on prior decisions and the principle of stare decisis helps maintain consistency over time. In contrast, statutory law comes from legislative bodies, and administrative law arises from rules created by government agencies. The description in the question points to case law.