What is the basis for case law?

Case law is primarily based on the decisions made by appellate courts. This encompasses judicial rulings that serve as precedents for future cases, contributing to the body of law that judges refer to when deciding similar cases. When an appellate court makes a decision, especially on important legal principles or interpretations, that ruling can influence subsequent cases and help clarify ambiguous statutes or regulations.

The role of appellate courts is crucial because they review trial court decisions, ensuring that legal standards are applied consistently and justly. Through their decisions, these courts interpret and solidify statutory laws, constitutional provisions, and legal principles, thereby shaping the legal landscape through their judgments.

While statutory law, constitutional amendments, and executive orders play significant roles in the legal framework, they do not constitute the basis for case law in the same way that appellate court decisions do. Statutory laws are created by legislative bodies, while executive orders are issued by the President and pertain more to administrative actions. Constitutional amendments establish foundational legal rights and principles, but it is the appellate court decisions that apply and interpret these laws in practical scenarios, forming the core of case law.