How does statutory law differ from common law?

Statutory law is fundamentally different from common law in how each is created and what sources they derive from. Statutory law is the body of law that is enacted by legislative bodies, such as Congress or state legislatures. This means that statutory laws are officially written and codified statutes, representing a formal process through which laws are proposed, debated, and passed. They are accessible in legislative documents and usually cover a broad range of topics, reflecting the polices and priorities of the legislative body.

In contrast, common law evolves from judicial decisions made in courts. It is developed through the application of legal precedents established in earlier court rulings. Judges interpret statutes and apply them to individual cases, and their decisions become part of the body of law that guides future cases. This process makes common law somewhat more adaptive over time, as it can be shaped by the circumstances and interpretations of judges, but it is not the uniform, codified format that statutory law embodies.

Therefore, the distinction lies in the origin and creation: statutory law emerges from legislative enactments, while common law arises from judicial interpretations and principles established over time. This understanding is crucial for navigating legal discussions and understanding the sources of law in various contexts.