What does the term "case law" usually refer to?

The term "case law" refers specifically to the legal precedents established by previous court decisions. It encompasses the body of law created through judicial rulings and interpretations, serving as a reference for future cases. This concept relies on the principle of stare decisis, which means that courts are bound to follow the precedents set by higher courts within the same jurisdiction when making their own rulings. This creates consistency and predictability in the application of law, as judges consider past decisions when evaluating current cases.

In contrast, written legislation pertains to laws enacted by legislative bodies, the interpretation of statutes involves elucidating the meaning of laws passed by legislatures, and legal principles recognized in policy often refer to broader guidelines that may not have the same binding authority as case law.