What is a former court decision called?

Asked by: Roselyn Nader IV  |  Last update: January 13, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (38 votes)

binding precedent - A prior decision by a court that must be followed without a compelling reason or significantly different facts or issues. Courts are often bound by the decisions of appellate courts with authority to review their decisions.

What are previous court decisions called?

Stare Decisis—a Latin term that means “let the decision stand” or “to stand by things decided”—is a foundational concept in the American legal system. To put it simply, stare decisis holds that courts and judges should honor “precedent”—or the decisions, rulings, and opinions from prior cases.

What term refers to previous court rulings?

Precedent refers to a court decision that is considered an authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts , or similar legal issues . Precedent is incorporated into the doctrine of stare decisis and requires courts to apply the law in the same manner to cases with the same facts.

What is a previous case that a certain court must follow called?

Binding authority, also referred to as mandatory authority, refers to cases, statutes, or regulations that a court must follow because they bind the court.

What is it called when you follow past written court decisions?

Stare decisis ensures that cases with similar scenarios and facts are approached in the same way. Simply put, it binds courts to follow legal precedents set by previous decisions. 1. Stare decisis is a Latin term meaning “to stand by that which is decided.”

What Does It Mean For A Supreme Court Decision To Serve As A Precedent? - CountyOffice.org

30 related questions found

What term means that previous legal decisions are to be followed?

Stare decisis is the doctrine that courts will adhere to precedent in making their decisions . Stare decisis means “to stand by things decided” in Latin.

What is a formal request for the court to hear a previously decided case called?

appeal - A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." Both the plaintiff and the defendant can appeal, and the party doing so is called the appellant.

What is it called when a judge makes a decision based on a previous case?

Legal terms • precedent • stare decisis. Stare decisis, meaning in Latin “to stand by things decided,” is a legal principle that directs courts to adhere to previous judgments — or judgments of higher or tribunals — as it has persuasive and binding authority while resolving a case with allegedly comparable facts.

What is the past precedence?

Precedence refers to the priority or superior status afforded to an individual, principle, or legal case over another in order, time, or importance. In contrast, precedents are past events, decisions, or cases that set an example or rule to be followed in similar future instances, especially in the legal field.

Which of the following are synonymous terms for court decisions?

  • decrees.
  • edicts.
  • directives.
  • decisions.
  • proclamations.
  • resolutions.
  • declarations.
  • verdicts.

What is the legal term for previous?

The Supreme Court relies on precedents—that is, earlier laws or decisions that provide some example or rule to guide them in the case they're actually deciding.

Which term means respect for prior court decisions?

Stare decisis means “stand with things decided” in Latin. Unsurprisingly, what this means in practice is that a court should base its current rulings on past decisions, called precedent.

What is the court term for decision?

Judgment: A court decision. Also called a decree or an order. Judgment File: A permanent court record of the court's final disposition of the case.

Which term refers to previous court rulings?

which term refers to previous court rulings? precedent.

What are common words used in court?

The following definitions will make it easier for you to understand common legal words and phrases used frequently during a trial.
  • Action, Case, Suit. A legal dispute brought into court for a hearing or trial.
  • Answer. ...
  • Acquit. ...
  • Cause of Action. ...
  • Challenge for Cause. ...
  • Closing Argument. ...
  • Complaint. ...
  • Counterclaim.

What is a collection of decisions or rulings on previous laws?

"Precedent" is a group of decisions which include significant legal or policy determinations, and are designed to guide an Administrative Law Judge in deciding cases involving the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.

What is the meaning of prior decision?

formal. existing or happening before something else, or before a ... See more at prior. decision. noun.

What is the synonym of precedent?

Definitions of precedent (/ˈprɛsɪdənt/) noun. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time. synonyms: case in point. example, illustration, instance, representative.

What is historic precedent?

A historical precedent refers to an event or decision from the past that serves as a guide or example for future actions or policies.

What is a previously decided case called?

Over time courts in the United States and especially its Supreme Court developed a large body of judicial decisions which are called "precedents". These "[r]ules and principles established in prior cases inform the Court's future decisions."

What is a synonym for judge's decision?

condemnation, conviction, judgment of conviction, sentence.

Which term refers to a judge's decision to adhere to the previous decisions of other judges?

(stare decisis is the doctrine of precedent, under which a court must follow earlier judicial decisions when the same points arise again; adherence to precedent is the preferred course because it promotes the evenhanded, predictable, and consistent development of legal principles, fosters reliance on judicial decisions ...

What is a court decision that applies to future cases known as?

Stare decisis refers to the doctrine of precedent, under which a court must follow earlier judicial decisions when the same points arise again in litigation.

What is the term used to request a review of a decision made in court?

A petition for review is the first step in an appeal to the Supreme Court, and consists of a party's request to the court to select his or her case for consideration.

What is the rule of four?

On the face of it, the Supreme Court's “Rule of Four” is straightforward. Where the justices have discretion as to whether to hear an appeal, at least four of the Court's members must vote to grant a writ of certiorari, which facilitates a full review on the merits.