The Difference between Statutory and Common Law Offences Essay

The Difference between Statutory and Common Law Offences - Essay Example The essay "The Difference between Statutory and Common Law Offences" discusses the aspects of the difference between statutory and common law offenses. It has elaborated on how the latter has been created and how they can change. It has given a layman’s meaning to precedent and other legal terms important in the context of criminal and civil laws.Common law is the principles of law applied by the royal court's common practices and customs in England. Statutory laws, on the other hand, are laws governed by statute or acts of the legislature. The former is developed over a long period of time which derives its authorities solely from the usage and custom in England. The latter follows a public process or brought into effect when an Act of Parliament gives authority or approval for it to be made. In addition, it has recognized offenses such as abduction, arson, assault, bigamy, contempt of court, obstructing the course of justice, extortion, forgery, fraud, high treason, murder a nd much more. Furthermore, it has attributed greatly to statutory law. Therefore, this law is important in any legal system because it is made by people who are representatives of the people. Some first English law examples are Statute of Pardons 1504, Statute of Proclamations 1539. Today, they are more known as acts example Military Lands Act 1892 UK. In reiterating the above, common law crimes were created from what English society considered as morally wrong to their practices and customs.