Legal precedent

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In common law legal systems, a precedent or authority is a legal case that establishes a principle or rule.^[1] This principle or rule is then used by the court or other judicial bodies use when deciding later cases with similar issues or facts.^[1] The use of precedent provides predictability, stability, fairness, and efficiency in the law. The Latin term stare decisis is the doctrine of legal precedent.^[2]

The precedent on an issue is the body of judicially announced principles that a court should consider when interpreting the law. When a precedent establishes an important legal principle, or represents new or changed law on a particular issue, that precedent is often known as a landmark decision. Precedent is central to legal analysis and rulings in countries that follow common law like the United Kingdom and Canada (except Quebec). In some systems precedent is not binding but is taken into account by the courts.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Precedent". Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
2. ↑ "Stare decisis". Legal Information Institute, Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 14 February 2016.