Which term describes judge-made law originating in the courts that sets precedence?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Common Law
• C. Criminal Action
• D. Damages

Answer: (B)

Common law is the body of law that originates in judicial decisions rather than in statutes, and it creates precedents that guide future rulings. When judges decide cases, their reasoning becomes a rule for similar disputes, and through the doctrine of stare decisis, these precedents are followed to maintain consistency and predictability in the legal system. This is different from confidentiality, which concerns protecting patient information; from criminal action, which refers to a case brought for a crime; and from damages, which are monetary remedies awarded in civil cases. So the term described is the judge-made body of law that establishes precedent.