When statutory law does not provide an answer, which law becomes applicable to create precedent?

• A. Common Law
• B. Civil Law
• C. Statutory Law
• D. Private Law

Answer: (A)

When statutory law does not provide an answer, common law becomes applicable to create precedent. Common law is established through court decisions and judicial opinions and operates based on customs and judicial interpretations of previous cases. This body of law can be crucial in filling gaps where statutory law is silent or ambiguous.

In many legal systems, including those in the United States, common law provides a framework upon which judges can base their decisions, ensuring consistency and predictability in legal outcomes. This means that judges refer to earlier rulings in similar cases to guide their decisions, thereby creating a body of case law that can be referenced in future disputes.

The other types of law mentioned do not play the same role in establishing precedent when statutory law does not apply. Civil law generally refers to a legal system that is based on written codes and statutes, which does not create common law precedent in the same way. Statutory law, by definition, is the body of law enacted by legislative bodies and would not be applicable in this context when it fails to provide an answer. Private law governs relationships between individuals and may not address broader legal principles or setting precedents in the same way as common law does.