Common Law

Common Law is law that comes out of the decisions judges make in courts. This is different from law that is written, e.g. the Australian Constitution. Common Law started in England around 1160 A.D. When Australia was settled, Common law was adopted here too.

Christianity has been central to Common Law. The Royal Courts of Justice in London have a statue of Jesus Christ at the entrance. Christianity is so important that one Chief Justice in England declared:

"Christianity is parcel of the Common Law of England and therefore needs to be protected by it. So whatever strikes at the very root of Christianity tends to the dissolution of civil government."