What is another term for judge-made law that utilizes precedent?

The term "common law" refers to a legal system that is primarily developed through judicial decisions and precedents rather than through legislative statutes. In common law systems, courts look to previous decisions in similar cases to guide their rulings, establishing a body of law that evolves over time based on judicial interpretations and applications of legal principles. This reliance on precedent allows for consistency and predictability in the law, as similar cases are treated in a similar manner.

In contrast, statutory law is created through legislative processes, administrative law pertains to rules and regulations established by government agencies, and civil law generally refers to a legal system found in many countries, which is primarily based on written codes and statutes rather than case law. Each of these alternatives lacks the specific emphasis on judicial precedent that is central to the concept of common law.