common law

简明释义

习惯法

英英释义

A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.

一套基于法院建立的法律先例的无形法律体系。

Law that is derived from judicial decisions instead of from statutes.

源于司法判决而非成文法的法律。

例句

1.Judges in common law 普通法 jurisdictions often refer to past cases to make their rulings.

普通法 common law 司法管辖区,法官通常会参考过去的案件来做出裁决。

2.In many countries, the legal system is based on common law 普通法, which relies heavily on judicial precedents.

在许多国家,法律体系基于普通法 common law,这在很大程度上依赖于司法判例。

3.Many legal scholars study common law 普通法 to understand its impact on modern legal systems.

许多法律学者研究普通法 common law,以了解其对现代法律系统的影响。

4.The principle of stare decisis is fundamental to common law 普通法 systems.

遵循先例的原则是普通法 common law 系统的基础。

5.In a common law 普通法 system, laws can evolve over time through court decisions.

普通法 common law 系统中,法律可以通过法院判决随时间演变。

作文

The concept of common law has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal systems of many countries, particularly those that were once part of the British Empire. Unlike statutory law, which is created by legislative bodies, common law is developed through judicial decisions and precedents. This means that the rulings made by judges in individual cases set a standard that can influence future cases, creating a body of law that evolves over time. One of the most significant features of common law is its reliance on case law. Judges interpret laws based on previous court decisions, which helps ensure consistency and predictability in the legal system. For example, if a court previously ruled that a certain action was considered negligence, future courts will likely follow this precedent unless there is a compelling reason to deviate from it. This principle is known as 'stare decisis,' which translates to 'to stand by things decided.' In contrast to civil law systems, which are based on comprehensive statutes and codes, common law systems allow for more flexibility. This adaptability can be beneficial in rapidly changing social contexts where existing laws may not adequately address new issues. For instance, with the rise of technology, common law has had to adapt to challenges related to privacy, intellectual property, and cybercrime. Courts have had to interpret existing laws in light of these new realities, often leading to landmark decisions that set important precedents for future cases.Furthermore, common law is characterized by its emphasis on the adversarial system of justice. In this system, two opposing parties present their cases before an impartial judge or jury. The judge's role is to ensure that the trial proceeds fairly and that the law is applied correctly. This contrasts with inquisitorial systems, where the judge plays a more active role in investigating the case. The adversarial nature of common law systems encourages thorough examination and cross-examination of evidence, contributing to a robust legal process.Despite its strengths, common law also has its criticisms. Some argue that the reliance on judicial interpretation can lead to inconsistencies and unpredictability, especially when different judges may have varying interpretations of the same law. Additionally, the process of developing common law can be slow, as it relies on cases being brought to court and litigated. This can result in gaps in the law where urgent issues remain unaddressed until a relevant case is finally decided.In conclusion, common law is a fundamental aspect of many legal systems worldwide, characterized by its reliance on judicial precedents and case law. While it offers flexibility and adaptability, it also faces challenges related to consistency and speed of legal development. Understanding common law is essential for anyone interested in the legal field, as it provides insight into how laws are interpreted and applied in real-world scenarios. As societies continue to evolve, so too will the principles of common law, ensuring that the legal system remains relevant and effective in addressing contemporary issues.

“普通法”这一概念在塑造许多国家的法律体系中发挥了关键作用,特别是那些曾经属于英国帝国的国家。与由立法机构制定的成文法不同,“普通法”是通过司法裁决和判例发展而来的。这意味着法官在个案中作出的裁决设定了一个标准,可以影响未来的案件,从而形成一个随着时间演变的法律体系。“普通法”的一个显著特点是其对案例法的依赖。法官根据之前的法院裁决解释法律,这有助于确保法律体系的一致性和可预测性。例如,如果法院之前裁定某种行为被视为过失,未来的法院很可能会遵循这一判例,除非有令人信服的理由偏离它。这个原则被称为“遵循先例”,翻译为“坚持已决定的事物”。与基于全面法规和法典的民法体系相比,“普通法”体系允许更多的灵活性。这种适应性在社会快速变化的背景下是有益的,因为现有的法律可能无法充分解决新出现的问题。例如,随着科技的崛起,“普通法”不得不适应与隐私、知识产权和网络犯罪相关的挑战。法院必须根据这些新现实解释现有法律,通常导致具有里程碑意义的裁决,为未来的案件设定重要的先例。此外,“普通法”还以其强调对抗性司法系统而著称。在这一系统中,两个对立方在公正的法官或陪审团面前陈述各自的案件。法官的角色是确保审判的公平进行,并正确适用法律。这与审问制度不同,在审问制度中,法官在调查案件中扮演更积极的角色。“普通法”系统的对抗性特征鼓励对证据进行彻底的审查和交叉审问,有助于形成健全的法律程序。尽管有其优势,“普通法”也面临批评。一些人认为对司法解释的依赖可能导致不一致和不可预测,特别是当不同法官可能对同一法律有不同解释时。此外,发展“普通法”的过程可能缓慢,因为它依赖于案件的提起和诉讼。这可能导致法律中的空白,急需解决的问题在相关案件最终裁定之前仍然得不到解决。总之,“普通法”是全球许多法律体系的基本组成部分,其特点是依赖于司法先例和案例法。虽然它提供了灵活性和适应性,但也面临与一致性和法律发展速度相关的挑战。理解“普通法”对任何对法律领域感兴趣的人来说都是必不可少的,因为它提供了对法律如何在现实场景中被解释和应用的深刻见解。随着社会的不断发展,“普通法”的原则也将不断演变,确保法律体系在应对当代问题时保持相关性和有效性。