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common-law vs common law

Both "common-law" and "common law" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Common-law" is used as an adjective to describe a legal system based on custom and court decisions, while "common law" is used to refer to the body of law developed through judicial decisions. The hyphenated form is less common and is typically used in legal contexts.

Last updated: March 26, 2024

common-law

This is correct, especially in legal contexts, where it is used as an adjective to describe a legal system based on custom and court decisions.

Use "common-law" when you want to describe a legal system that is based on custom and court decisions. It is commonly used in legal terminology.
  • specific rights under the RATP special scheme, which go beyond the rights normally covered by common-law schemes (general scheme and additional schemes).
  • cash payments to the additional common-law schemes AGIRC-ARRCO, in the form of a share in the underwriting reserves of these schemes [comprising approximately EUR 80 million to EUR 300 million].
  • California doesn't recognize common-law marriage.
  • I reserve all my common-law rights.
  • It's an alimony settlement for a common-law couple out of Alabama.
  • Police have taken Ms. Blake's common-law husband into custody, and sources close to the investigation say he's confessed.
  • I just have to say I'm Lapidus' common-law wife.
  • Well, common-law marriage to a woman named...
  • I just don't want to be the only common-law wife on the campus.
  • Summer 1916, common-law criminals were enlisted to beef up regiments melted in the fires at Verdun.
  • The pathetic figure of the killer, Mariannina Terranova, his 26-year-old common-law wife.
  • You've been living here seven years which makes us a common-law couple, which makes him our son.
  • In 2007, France is planning to use common-law schemes to back the RATP pension scheme.
  • These cash payments correlate to the future deficit to be borne by the common-law scheme on account of the demographic structure of RATP.
  • Okay, well, not that I have to explain it to you, but she didn't change her name because we are in a common-law union.
  • When you check, I believe you will find that this poor soul is the victim's common-law wife, who has been dreading the release of this vile man.
  • Mr President, on Thursday, I was in Tunis for the trial of the poet and writer Taoufik Ben Brik, indicted in Tunisia on obscure common-law charges that fool no one.
  • Doesn't that make me his common-law wife?
  • One of the perks of working with your common-law wife - or just wife. I've been throwing around just "wife" lately, it feels good.
  • The second limb relating to trusts is designed to ensure greater consistency with the 1985 Hague Convention on recognition of trusts and to avoid difficulty or confusion arising from the employment of the trust in common-law jurisdictions as a device for dealing with situations such as unjust enrichment.

Alternatives:

  • civil-law
  • statutory law
  • case law
  • legal precedent
  • judicial system

common law

This is also correct and is used to refer to the body of law developed through judicial decisions.

Use "common law" when referring to the body of law that has been developed through judicial decisions over time.
  • The very concept of this proposal is alien to many judicial systems within Member States, especially those who have a legal system based on common law.
  • Indeed, and above all, it should be specified that the concept of the authentic act does not exist in common law systems.
  • Secondly, nuclear waste should be governed by common law, but with stricter rules.
  • It is the maxim of the common law.
  • For example, Ireland and Britain have common law systems in operation, but many other European Union states have a civil law structure.
  • The EU has a non-uniform legal system (common law, civil law); any advanced law degree is country specific.
  • It amazes me to hear Mr Cohn-Bendit declaring in favour of a common law on asylum.
  • Which for the last 500 years of common law has required unconsented-to physical contact?
  • If there are criminal charges under common law against some of the prisoners, they should be judged by due process of law.
  • The national court will apply either its domestic common law or national rules of international private law.
  • This common law principle is a key element in the background context to judicial decision-making generally in New Zealand.
  • We do not discuss here all the various federal statutes that address privacy in specific contexts or state statutes and common law that might apply.
  • Moreover, differences between civil and common law in the Member States lead to different results and cause endless litigation and a legal morass for victims and heirs to looted cultural goods.
  • It goes all the way back to common law... where women were denied the right to enter into contracts... because we lacked mental capacity.
  • Mr President, there was a time when Europeans travelled all over the universities of Europe and studied what was still a common law based on the Roman law.
  • If you are suggesting we give up common law and habeas corpus for that sort of European system, my answer to you is no, thank you very much indeed.
  • We need a corpus iuris - as everyone has said - and common rules, especially procedural ones, which guarantee the rule of common law throughout the Community.
  • In Britain and in Ireland we have a different legal system - the old common law system - to that which pertains in the majority of other Member States.
  • Among the fundamental common law principles is the principle that the dignity of the individual is a paramount concern of the law.
  • It therefore equates to an amendment clause in common law, the possible application of which should nevertheless be analysed in relation to the law on State aid.

Alternatives:

  • case law
  • judge-made law
  • unwritten law
  • legal tradition
  • precedent-based law

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