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Statements, observations or comments made by a judge that are not necessary to the decision. While persuasive, they are not binding precedent.

The 'reason for the decision'; the binding part of a court's decision that must be followed by lower courts. Guides future judgments on similar issues or facts.

A decision from another jurisdiction or a lower court that is not binding but can influence or guide a court in making its decision.

A previous decision by a higher court that must be followed by a lower court in the same jurisdiction when deciding subsequent cases with similar facts.

A Latin term meaning 'let the decision stand'; the principle that precedent decisions are to be followed by the courts. Used to establish consistency and predictability in the legal system.

When a higher court in the hierarchy decides that a legal rule in a previous decision from a lower court is incorrect, and sets a new precedent.

An event or circumstance that intervenes in a case and affects the outcome, thereby potentially changing the applicability of precedent.

A decision made by a court that is 'through lack of care'; generally refers to a judgment passed without reference to a significant legal precedent or statutory provision.

A legal decision with limited applicability that does not establish wide-reaching precedent, often used to limit the impact of the decision.

A judicial decision that establishes a wide-reaching precedent, often applied to a broad range of cases.

The obligation of lower courts to follow the decisions of higher courts within the same jurisdiction.

The concept where judges are more willing to depart from strict adherence to precedent in order to adapt to new societal needs or understandings.

An additional written opinion by a judge agreeing with the decision of the majority but setting out different reasons for their decision.

A case with issues that have never been decided by that court before, which requires the court to establish new precedent.

Occurs when a higher court changes the ruling of a lower court on appeal, resulting in a different legal outcome in the case.

A principle whereby judges tend to adhere to precedent and defer to the judgment of legislatures, as opposed to engaging in judicial activism.

The judicial opinion agreed to by more than half of the members of a court; sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court’s decision.

Similar to binding precedent, it refers to existing legal rules that a court must follow when deciding a case with identical or similar issues.

A separate opinion in which a judge disagrees with the conclusion reached by the majority of the court, offering a different reasoning or legal basis.

The principle under which similar cases should be decided in accordance with consistent principled rules so that they will reach similar results.

The situation where courts of the same level, as a general rule, should follow their own previous decisions.

The act of sending a case back to the lower court from which it came, for further action as directed by the higher court.

When a court decides the material facts of a case are sufficiently different from a precedent case, thereby not requiring the court to follow the precedent.

A foundational legal concept that guides the law and provides a framework for understanding specific legal rules.