Common law developed as a result of custom and judicial decisions, as distinct from the law laid down by legislative assemblies. The system of laws originated and developed in England, based on court decisions, on the doctrines implicit in those decisions, and on customs and usages, rather than on codified written laws. The inflexibility of the writ system, and the consequent expense - if a writ had a minor drafting error, it would be thrown …showed first 75 words of 301 total…

…showed last 75 words of 301 total…as well as giving the power to determine matters of common law, use juries, award damages, and receive oral evidence. Advantages of Equity over common law Equity was important in the development of English law because it resolved some of the shortcomings of the common law, which might otherwise have led to a loss of public confidence in the legal system as many believe the hallmark of a civilised society is a proper legal system.