Which legal system relies on previous court rulings to resolve disputes?

The legal system that relies on previous court rulings to resolve disputes is common law. Common law is primarily based on the principles established in judicial decisions from previous cases, which serve as precedents. This means that when a court faces a legal issue, it looks to past rulings to guide its interpretation and decision-making, thereby ensuring consistency and predictability in the law.

Each legal principle or ruling becomes part of the legal framework that future cases can rely on, allowing the law to evolve and adapt over time while maintaining a strong connection to established case law. This process is essential for maintaining stability in the legal system, as it provides a standardized approach to resolving similar disputes.

In contrast, civil law systems tend to rely more heavily on written laws and codes rather than judicial precedents, focusing on statutes enacted by legislative bodies. Global law and international law encompass a broader range of legal issues that may involve treaties or national laws but do not specifically emphasize the reliance on prior court decisions in the way that common law does.