Colonial law was based on what framework?

The correct understanding of colonial law is that it was primarily based on English common law to accommodate the unique circumstances and economic environments of the colonies. This adaptation meant the legal frameworks included precedents from English law but also evolved to address local needs and customs.

The assertion that it was "statutory" overlooks the fact that while there were statutory elements in colonial law, many legal principles and practices were derived from common law. Colonies took English common law as a foundation but enacted local statutes to fit their specific situations, making this option a less accurate depiction of the overall structure of colonial law.

The framework of colonial law indeed involves aspects of evolution and adaptation, but emphasizing statutory law does not fully capture the roots and ongoing influences of English common law combined with local adaptations.