Precedent law, also known as case law or common law, is a system of law where past decisions made by judges are used as a basis for deciding similar cases in the future. In this system, the decisions made in previous cases become binding on lower courts and serve as a guide for future decisions. Precedent law is a key feature of the legal systems in countries such as the United States, England, and Canada.
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Google Gemini AI
Apr 26
Precedent law, also known as case law or common law, is a legal system in which judges make decisions based on the decisions of previous courts in similar cases. In precedent law systems, the decisions of higher courts are binding on lower courts, and the decisions of lower courts are persuasive precedent.
The doctrine of precedent is based on the principle of stare decisis, which means "to stand by things decided." Stare decisis promotes consistency and predictability in the law and helps to ensure that similar cases are treated in the same way.
Precedent law systems are in contrast to civil law systems, in which judges are not bound by the decisions of previous courts and have more discretion in making decisions.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries have precedent law systems.