Precedent

In general knowledge, a precedent refers to a previous event, action, or decision that serves as an example or basis for future decisions. It’s often used in legal contexts, where earlier court rulings influence the outcomes of later cases. Beyond law, it can apply to any situation where past actions guide future behavior, such as in business practices or policy-making. Essentially, precedents help ensure consistency and predictability by showing how similar situations were handled in the past.