common-law

play

adjective com·mon-law \ ˈkä-mən-ˌlȯ \

Definition of common-law

1 :of, relating to, or based on the common law

2 :relating to or based on a common-law marriage

See common-law defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of common-law

1619

common law

noun

Definition of common law

:the body of law developed in England primarily from judicial decisions based on custom and precedent, unwritten in statute or code, and constituting the basis of the English legal system and of the system in all of the U.S. except Louisiana

See common law defined for English-language learners

See common law defined for kids

First Known Use of common law

14th century

COMMON-LAW Defined for English Language Learners

common-law

play

adjective

Definition of common-law for English Language Learners

—used to describe a relationship between a man and a woman that is considered to be a marriage because the man and woman have lived together for a long period of time

common law

noun

Definition of common law for English Language Learners

: the laws that developed from English court decisions and customs and that form the basis of laws in the U.S.

Law Dictionary

common law

noun

legal Definition of common law

:a body of law that is based on custom and general principles and embodied in case law and that serves as precedent or is applied to situations not covered by statute

the common law of torts

: as

a :the body of law that was first developed in the English courts of law as distinguished from equity and that allows for particular remedies (as damages or replevin)

in suits at common law…the right of trial by jury shall be preserved
—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

— compare equity 2

b :the body of law developed in England that is the basis of U.S. federal law and of state law in all states except Louisiana — compare civil law 2, statutory law