Case law refers to the body of law that is established by the outcomes of previous court cases. It is created when judges interpret laws and make decisions in specific legal disputes, which then serve as precedents for future cases. This means that the rulings in these cases can influence how similar cases are decided later on. Judges often rely on precedents from earlier cases to ensure consistency and fairness in the legal system. As new cases arise, they may either uphold or overturn existing case law, allowing the law to evolve over time in response to changing societal values and circumstances.