Judicial precedence

Judicial precedence, or stare decisis, is a legal principle where courts follow previous court decisions when making rulings on similar cases. This creates consistency and predictability in the law, as lower courts are expected to adhere to the interpretations of higher courts. For instance, if a supreme court has ruled on a specific issue, lower courts typically apply that ruling in future cases involving similar facts. This system helps maintain stability in the legal framework while allowing for gradual evolution of law as society changes.