Glossary
Stare decisis
to stand by things decided
common-law
The doctrine that courts follow their own and higher courts' previous decisions.
In more detail
It delivers predictability at the cost of flexibility. Supreme courts retain the power to depart from their own precedent, but generally require a special justification, such as demonstrable error, changed circumstances or unworkability in practice.
Related terms
- precedent
- ratio-decidendi
See how this applies to you
Definitions are general. How a term operates depends on the jurisdiction you are in.