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federal common law
noun
Legal Definition of federal common law
: case law developed in the federal courts — see also Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins
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Additional Notes on federal common law
Federal common law is applied primarily in admiralty and maritime cases, disputes between states, matters of international relations, and in cases regarding the proprietary interests of the U.S. Federal common law is used when federal statutory law does not completely address an issue or problem.
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