Case Law Principles

Case law principles refer to the body of law established by judges' decisions in previous court cases. These rulings set precedents, which guide future cases with similar circumstances. The principle of "stare decisis" means that courts generally follow the precedents established by higher courts, ensuring consistency and stability in the law. This system allows the law to evolve based on real-life situations while providing people with predictability regarding legal outcomes. Essentially, case law helps interpret and apply statutes and regulations, reflecting how laws function in practice through judicial interpretation.