1. the part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. Often contrasted with statutory law.
▪ the body of English law as adopted and modified separately by the different states of the US and by the federal government.
▪ denoting a partner in a marriage by common law (which recognized unions created by mutual agreement and public behavior), not by a civil or ecclesiastical ceremony: "a common-law husband"
▪ denoting a partner in a long-term relationship of cohabitation.
English law is the common law legal system of England and Wales, comprising mainly criminal law and civil law, each branch having its own courts and procedures. Wikipedia