What is the basis for US law as it relates to common law?

US law primarily originates from English common law, which is a legal system developed in England that relies on court decisions and precedents rather than solely on written statutes. This foundation has influenced many aspects of the American legal system, including principles such as the adversarial system, jury trials, and the importance of case law.

When the United States declared independence, it inherited many legal principles from English common law, adapting them to fit the new nation’s needs. This includes concepts such as property rights, contracts, torts, and procedural law. The judiciary's role in interpreting laws and the significance placed on precedent—decisions made in previous cases—are integral components of the legal framework established by common law.

While other legal influences, such as civil law tradition and indigenous laws, exist within the broader context of US law, the foundational aspects that shape most of the American legal system are directly tied to English common law.