irreducible legal authority

Irreducible legal authority refers to the fundamental sources of law that courts must rely on when making decisions, without room for personal judgment or interpretation. These sources include constitutional provisions, statutes (laws passed by legislatures), and established legal principles. Essentially, they are the core legal rules that cannot be ignored or replaced; courts are bound to apply them directly. Understanding this helps clarify how judicial decisions are grounded in established rules, ensuring consistency and legitimacy in the legal system.