Binding Precedent
Binding precedent, also known as case law, refers to legal decisions made by higher courts that must be followed by lower courts in future cases with similar facts. This principle ensures consistency and predictability in the law, meaning that once a court sets a legal standard, other courts must apply that standard in similar situations. For example, if a Supreme Court makes a ruling on a particular issue, all lower courts must adhere to that ruling when handling similar cases, thereby creating a unified legal approach within the jurisdiction.
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Binding precedent, also known as stare decisis, refers to a legal principle where courts must follow the rulings and interpretations made in earlier cases with similar facts. This means that if a higher court has made a decision on a legal issue, lower courts are required to apply that same reasoning in future cases. This ensures consistency and predictability in the law, as similar cases are treated in the same way, providing fairness and stability in the judicial system.