case law

noun

: law established by judicial decision in cases

Examples of case law in a Sentence

Case law says that a person has a right to privacy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Snyder concedes that, in the absence of clear case law or administrative guidance, practitioners are largely navigating in the dark. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Aug. 2025 But case law has held that prosecutors are constitutional, judicial officers who are not in the same category as state, county and township executive-branch officers, such as mayors. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 26 July 2025 Though vague, Galvin said case law suggests reasonable means that the rules are consistent with the culture and character of the type of community. Nora O’Neill 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025 Ramos said new case law could help overturn Park’s convictions. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for case law

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of case law was in 1731

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Cite this Entry

“Case law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case%20law. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Legal Definition

case law

noun
: law established by judicial decisions in cases as distinguished from law created by legislation

called also decisional law

see also common law

More from Merriam-Webster on case law

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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