<P> In common law legal systems , a precedent , or authority , is a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding on or persuasive for a court or other tribunal when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts . Common law legal systems place great value on deciding cases according to consistent principled rules so that similar facts will yield similar and predictable outcomes , and observance of precedent is the mechanism by which that goal is attained . The principle by which judges are bound to precedents is known as stare decisis . Black 's Law Dictionary defines `` precedent '' as a `` rule of law established for the first time by a court for a particular type of case and thereafter referred to in deciding similar cases '' . Common law precedent is a third kind of law , on equal footing with statutory law ( statutes and codes enacted by legislative bodies ) , and delegated legislation ( in U.K. parlance ) or regulatory law ( in U.S. parlance ) ( regulations promulgated by executive branch agencies ) . </P>
<P> In common law legal systems , a precedent , or authority , is a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding on or persuasive for a court or other tribunal when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts . Common law legal systems place great value on deciding cases according to consistent principled rules so that similar facts will yield similar and predictable outcomes , and observance of precedent is the mechanism by which that goal is attained . The principle by which judges are bound to precedents is known as stare decisis . Black 's Law Dictionary defines `` precedent '' as a `` rule of law established for the first time by a court for a particular type of case and thereafter referred to in deciding similar cases '' . Common law precedent is a third kind of law , on equal footing with statutory law ( statutes and codes enacted by legislative bodies ) , and delegated legislation ( in U.K. parlance ) or regulatory law ( in U.S. parlance ) ( regulations promulgated by executive branch agencies ) . </P>
a is a guide to be followed in later cases
a is a guide to be followed in later cases
precedent
precedent