Which term refers to conducting legal proceedings according to established rules for the protection of private rights?

The term that refers to conducting legal proceedings according to established rules for the protection of private rights is due process. Due process is a fundamental principle in both the legal system and constitutional law that ensures that all individuals are treated fairly and justly by the law. It encompasses the rights of individuals to receive fair legal proceedings, which includes the right to be heard, the right to an impartial tribunal, and the right to a legal counsel. This principle is foundational in protecting personal liberties and ensuring that no person is deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal processes.

Legal action generally refers to any act taken to settle a legal dispute, but it does not specifically address the fairness and justice aspect embedded in due process. Judicial review pertains to the power of courts to examine the actions of legislative and executive branches and determine their constitutionality, rather than focusing specifically on the protections of private rights within legal proceedings. Common law represents a body of law derived from judicial decisions and precedents rather than statutes, which does not directly relate to the systematic conduct of legal proceedings meant to protect rights. Therefore, due process stands out as the most appropriate term in the context of establishing the legal framework for the protection of individuals' private rights.