Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

Which term is used to describe the set of legal principles developed over hundreds of years?

1. Statutory regulations

2. Common law principles

3. International law standards

4. Civil legal statutes

The correct answer is: Common law principles

The correct answer is "Common law principles" because this term specifically refers to a body of law developed through court decisions and judicial philosophies over time, rather than through legislative statutes or regulations. Common law is rooted in the judicial precedents set by previous court rulings, allowing it to evolve based on societal norms and values as interpreted by judges. This historical development gives common law its unique character, distinguishing it from statutory law, which is enacted by legislative bodies, or from international or civil law frameworks, which arise from different legal traditions. The other terms mentioned represent different aspects of the legal system. Statutory regulations refer to formal laws enacted by government bodies. International law standards govern relations between states and entities on a global scale, while civil legal statutes pertain specifically to laws within civil law jurisdictions, which are typically codified and do not evolve in the same case law-based manner as common law. Thus, "Common law principles" accurately captures the essence of a legal framework that has developed through precedent and historical context.