What is true about case law in relation to common law?

Case law is a fundamental aspect of the common law system, reflecting judicial decisions made in the courts. It arises from the principle of stare decisis, where past judicial decisions are used as benchmarks to resolve similar legal issues. This relationship makes case law an integral component of common law.

The reason why the answer is that case law encompasses a broader range of law than common law is that case law not only includes the legal principles derived from previous court rulings but also incorporates the interpretations and applications of statutes. In essence, case law helps in shaping, defining, and evolving the common law based on the judiciary's interpretation of laws in practice. It also reflects societal changes and judicial reasoning, thereby broadening the scope of how common law is understood and applied.

In contrast, the other options misinterpret the nature and breadth of case law. For instance, saying that case law is narrower than common law overlooks the dynamic role that judicial decisions play in interpreting and enforcing laws. The notion that it only includes statutory law significantly understates the importance of judicial precedents and common law principles established through case law. Lastly, describing case law as irrelevant to legal decisions contradicts its foundational role in guiding court judgments and legal reasoning in common law jurisdictions.