The value of a common law system is that the law can be adapted to situations that were not contemplated by the legislature. There are two disadvantages. First, judges must follow the precedent cases. If they do not, then it is impossible to predict what the law is.
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/map/TheImportanceofPrecedent.html
The American legal system remains firmly within the common law tradition brought to the North American colonies from England. Yet traces of the civil law tradition and its importance in the hemisphere maybe found within state legal traditions across the United States.
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/library/robbins/CommonLawCivilLawTraditions.html
Currently, the common law is often distinguished from statutory law. Statutory law refers to laws passed by a legislative body; those laws may modify or reinforce the pre-existing common law, but in either case, statutory law trumps common law. Both are trumped by Constitutional law, which, itself, might be viewed as a sort-of super-statutory law.
http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_was_Common_Law_important
In the Middle Ages, common law in England coexisted, as civil law did in other countries, with other systems of law. Church courts applied canon law, urban and rural courts applied local customary law, Chancery and maritime courts applied Roman law.
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/library/robbins/CommonLawCivilLawTraditions.html
The English Common Law was important in the development of the American System of Criminal Justice System. Th English Common Law was chosen by the judges and courts. The Engli … sh Common Law provides presidential weight on the common law and requires that all acts committed be treated the same and not different on different occasions.
http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_was_Common_Law_important
Most nations today follow one of two major legal traditions: common law or civil law. The common law tradition emerged in England during the Middle Ages and was applied within British colonies across continents. The civil law tradition developed in continental Europe at the same time and was applied in the colonies of European imperial powers such as Spain and Portugal.
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/library/robbins/CommonLawCivilLawTraditions.html
Common law refers to the body of judicial decisions that are used as president for future cases. The common law is a living thing, and develops over time. Each particular de … cision becomes a part of the common law when it is handed down from the appellate courts.
http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_was_Common_Law_important
Common law is very important in the day to day life and activities. Through common law people are able to find a reference point in resolving conflicts. Common law is very important in the day to day life and activities. Through common law people are able to find a reference point in resolving conflicts.
http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_was_Common_Law_important
The Importance of Precedent. In a common law system, judges are obliged to make their rulings as consistent as reasonably possible with previous judicial decisions on the same subject. The Constitution accepted most of the English common law as the starting point for American law.
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/map/TheImportanceofPrecedent.html
These decisions are not binding on the legislature, which can pass laws to overrule unpopular court decisions. Unless these laws are determined to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, they preempt the common law precedent cases. Judges deciding cases are bound by the new law, rather than the precedent cases.
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/map/TheImportanceofPrecedent.html
how important is the common law
The English Common Law was important in the development of the American System of Criminal Justice System.