Judiciary And Legal Systems Questions
Legal precedent refers to the principle that decisions made in previous court cases should be followed and applied to similar cases in the future. It is based on the idea of stare decisis, which means "to stand by things decided." When a court makes a ruling on a particular issue, that decision becomes a precedent that lower courts should follow when faced with similar cases. Precedents help to ensure consistency and predictability in the legal system, as well as promote fairness and equality. They provide guidance to judges and lawyers in interpreting and applying the law, and they also serve as a source of legal authority. However, it is important to note that precedents can be overruled or distinguished in certain circumstances, such as when there are significant changes in societal values or when higher courts disagree with the reasoning of a previous decision.