What is common law best described as?

Common law is best described as customary unwritten law, which is developed through the decisions of courts and similar tribunals. It is based on precedents established in previous legal cases rather than codified statutes. This body of law evolves over time as judges interpret laws and make rulings on cases, which then set precedents for future cases.

What sets common law apart is its reliance on judicial decisions and interpretations that become accepted over time, reflecting societal norms and values. Unlike statutory law, which consists of written laws passed by legislative bodies, common law emerges organically from the resolution of disputes and the interpretation of those resolutions. This characteristic allows common law to be flexible and adaptive to changing circumstances.

The other options specify formalized types of law, such as written regulations and statutory law, which do not encompass the organic and evolving nature of common law. Local government mandates also differ from common law, as they are specific to local governmental authority and do not derive from broader judicial precedence.