answersLogoWhite

0

How are precedents made?

Updated: 4/30/2024
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

Best Answer

Precedent is a feature of the Common Law tradition of law. Precedent refers to the legal principle announced by a higher court that must be followed in later cases. A recent decision in the same jurisdiction will be given great weight. Decisions of lower courts are not binding on higher courts, although from time to time a higher court will adopt the reasoning and conclusion of a lower court.

Precedents are made by judges deciding cases. They arise from the legal principles created by a court decision and must be followed or used by subsequent courts in deciding cases that present the same issues. In general, decisions of higher courts within a system are mandatory precedent on lower courts within that same system. The principle announced in the decision must be followed in later cases. Another name for precedent is case law.

Cases need not be identical or similar to control. The principle announced in a case transcends the particular facts in that case and will be applied to different fact situations. However, a decision may be grounded in the specific facts and will not be applied generally. The court that created the precedent can always overrule it.

Knowing the difference is what law school is all about. The process of judicial decision making, the use and role of precedents, constitutional and statutory interpretations, is what a legal education teaches.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

3d ago

Precedents are established by previous court decisions in similar cases. When a court decides a case, its reasoning and decision can serve as a precedent for future cases with similar facts or legal issues. Over time, a body of precedents forms the common law in a legal system.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How are precedents made?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Law
Related questions

Law based on opinions and precedents?

LAW OF PRECEDENTS A point of reference is a past occasion or case which outfits a model or rule for resulting conduct, and an example whereupon ensuing behavior is based.


Decisions made by judges in the various courts and used as a guide for future decisions are called what?

They are called precedents. If the decision was made by a court with jurisdiction over a lower court, they are called binding precedents because the lower court is required to apply the same reasoning in similar cases under the doctrine of stare decisis.


What Decision made by judge in the various courts and used as a guide for future decisions are called what?

The decisions are called precedents. Precedents are used as a guide by future court cases with similar fact patterns.


What are the importance of precedents cases?

Precedents cases a case previously decided that serves as a legal guide for the resolution of subsequent cases.


What is trace precedents in Excel?

Precedents are the cells that a formula uses. Say you have the following formula in a cell: =A2+C12-D10 Then the cells A2, C12 and D10 are the precedents of the formula. The formula is using values that are in them. You use Trace Precedents to find those cells and highlight them on the Spreadsheet. If you are having a problem with formulas you can highlight the cells to be able to see which ones are being used. One way of doing it is to select the cell and then press the CTRL key and also the [ key. You can also use the Auditing toolbar to do it.


What is another word for antecedents?

precedents


Can a court depart from precedents?

Yes.


Another word for traditions is ........?

Precedents


What precedents were set by george washigton?

i dont no


Courts do not depart from precedents?

Lower courts do not department from precedents, they must follow the rulings of higher courts. Lateral courts have precedent that is not binding and does not have to be followed.


Is a secular outlook on the world an essentially modern phenomenon or does it have precedents in the classical era?

Is a secular outlook on the world an essentially modern phenomenon or does it have precedents in the second wave era


How are precedents used in majority opinions and dissents?

to support an argument by showing that because other courts have made similar decisions, the decision in the current case must be logical