Common law and equity are two separate legal systems that developed in England and Wales. While both systems have their roots in the English legal system, they have evolved over time and are now quite distinct from one another.
Common law is a system of law that is based on precedent, or previous court decisions. In other words, when a case is decided in a common law court, the decision is based on the legal principles established in previous cases. These principles are known as "common law." This system is designed to be flexible and adaptable, so that it can be applied to a wide range of cases.
Equity, on the other hand, is a system of law that is based on fairness and justice. It is a system of law that is designed to supplement the common law, rather than replace it. In equity, the focus is on finding a fair and just solution to a legal problem, rather than following a strict set of rules or precedents.
One key difference between common law and equity is that common law is based on written laws and legal precedent, while equity is based on the principles of fairness and justice. This means that common law decisions are typically more predictable, since they are based on established legal principles, while equity decisions may be more flexible and adaptable, since they are based on the specific circumstances of each case.
Another difference between common law and equity is the way that they are administered. Common law is administered by judges in courts, while equity is administered by specialized courts known as "courts of equity" or by judges with special training in equity law.
Despite these differences, common law and equity have always worked together in the English legal system. In fact, the two systems have often been used together to find a solution to a legal problem, with common law providing the structure and precedent, and equity providing the flexibility and fairness needed to reach a just resolution.
In conclusion, common law and equity are two distinct legal systems that have evolved over time in the English legal system. While they have some differences, they have also always worked together to find fair and just solutions to legal problems.