Case law is a legal term that refers to the body of law created through court decisions rather than through legal statutes or codes. It is a specialized skill as it requires expertise in legal research and analysis to effectively locate, read, and understand case law. Lawyers and legal professionals use case law to interpret and apply the law to specific cases and to establish legal precedent for future cases with similar facts or issues. Understanding and using case law is an essential skill for practicing attorneys and other legal professionals.