When people talk about law, they often think only of statutes, codes and written rules. However, there is a fundamental element that does not appear in legal texts, yet plays a decisive role in how the law is applied in real life: case law.
In one of our latest TikTok videos, Ignacio Estradé explains why case law is far more important than it may seem and how each court ruling can mark a turning point.
What Is Case Law?
Case law refers to the body of decisions and criteria established by courts when they interpret and apply the law to specific cases.
It is not written law enacted by the legislature, but it is an essential source of law, particularly because it guides how similar cases should be resolved in the future.
Put simply, case law explains how a legal rule is actually understood and applied in practice.
What Is Case Law Used For?
One of the main purposes of case law is to unify legal interpretation.
In other words, it helps prevent similar situations from being resolved in completely different ways depending on the court handling the case.
Through case law, legal certainty is strengthened, contradictory interpretations are reduced, and clearer guidelines are established for applying the law.
For this reason, in legal practice, understanding case law is just as important as knowing the written law itself.
How a Single Judgment Can Set a Precedent
Although not all court decisions carry the same weight, certain rulings—especially those issued by higher courts—set precedents that directly influence future decisions.
This means that a single judgment can change how a legal rule is interpreted for years, affecting hundreds or even thousands of cases.
Law, therefore, is not static or closed: it evolves judgment by judgment.
Case Law Evolves with Society
Judicial criteria are not immutable.
Case law evolves at the same pace as society itself, responding to social change, new family, economic or technological realities, and shifting cultural values.
Courts adapt the interpretation of the law to address contemporary issues that legislators have not always foreseen.
Far More Than Legal Theory
Far from being a purely theoretical concept reserved for legal professionals, case law has a direct impact on people’s lives: on their rights, their obligations and the way legal disputes are resolved.
At Estradé Law Firm, we understand case law as a living, dynamic and essential tool for providing up-to-date, strategic and effective legal defence.
Because in law, knowing the written rules is essential.
But understanding how courts interpret them changes everything.
