English law, structure and traditions, was the basis for the early American justice system. The biggest influence on American law was English common-law or judge made law as it is sometimes called. English Common-law is legal precedent based on judges rulings in different courts in England such as: "Kings Bench which dealt with crimes, the Court of Common Pleas which dealt with disputes over property and personal injuries, and the Court of Exchequer which had jurisdiction over disputes arising out of tax collection". Less serious crimes were normally disposed of in what English and early America called local courts, a.k.a.