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"Obiter dictum" or simply "dictum" or "dicta" is the term used to describe statements made by a court in its opinion that are unnecessary to decide the case.

When such an unnecessary statement is used to negate a party's attorney's position, that attorney will refer to it as "merely obiter dictum (or "mere dicta") which does not bind this court." When used in support of the case, it is called "supporting rationale for the court's ultimate decision deserving of great weight for its wisdom."

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