What does case law rely upon?

Case law relies upon judicial decisions and precedents because it is developed through the rulings of judges in individual court cases. When courts interpret laws and apply them to specific factual situations, their decisions become part of the body of law, especially when those cases establish legal principles or interpretations that other courts follow. This reliance on previous decisions creates consistency and predictability in the legal system, as lower courts are generally bound to follow the precedents set by higher courts in the same jurisdiction.

In contrast, legislative acts are laws passed by governing bodies, administrative regulations are rules created by governmental agencies to implement laws, and international treaties are formal agreements between sovereign nations. These elements play important roles in the legal framework, but they do not constitute case law, which is specifically rooted in judicial interpretation and application of existing law based on past decisions.