case law

noun

: law established by judicial decision in cases

Examples of case law in a Sentence

Case law says that a person has a right to privacy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump Lawyers 'Vague Out' Alsup also criticized Trump administration lawyers for failing to address the past case law. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 Between the lines: The CRA bars judicial review, but there's relatively little case law surrounding it, and courts have differing interpretations. Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025 As an objection filed by athletes represented by attorneys from Hausfeld LLP has noted, there is case law standing for the proposition that in certain situations (though not necessarily the situation at issue in this settlement) a settlement involving federal claims can’t trump state law claims. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Feb. 2025 Additionally, Florida case law and judicial precedents in divorce cases classify embryos as assets, subject to legal distribution. Andrew Rader, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for case law

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of case law was in 1731

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Case law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case%20law. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

case law

noun
: law established by judicial decisions in cases as distinguished from law created by legislation

called also decisional law

see also common law

More from Merriam-Webster on case law

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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