Which of the following best describes the role of common law in legal systems?

Common law serves as a foundation for many legal systems, particularly those influenced by English law. The key characteristic of common law is that it is primarily developed through judicial decisions and the principles established in those cases, often referred to as precedents. Judges interpret statutes, apply legal principles, and make decisions in individual cases, which then become part of the legal framework and can influence future cases.

This reliance on established precedents means that once a court has made a ruling on a particular legal issue, that ruling will typically guide future cases that involve similar facts. This ensures consistency and predictability in the law, as lower courts are generally expected to follow the precedents set by higher courts within the same jurisdiction.

The other possible answers do not accurately reflect the nature of common law. It is not a universal legal system applied by all countries, nor is it exclusively established by statutes. Additionally, while the evolution of common law occurs over time and can change, it is not unchangeable once set by the court. Judicial decisions can be revisited, overturned, or reinterpreted in light of new evidence, changes in societal norms, or shifts in legal perspectives.