World & Knowledge

Law & Legal Basics

How rules work, so they don't surprise you

Novice

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Novice

Note. Educational, not legal advice. Laws vary by country and change. For real legal stakes, property, family, employment, contracts, anything criminal, consult a qualified lawyer in your jurisdiction. In India, start with official portals (India Code, SCO India) and a registered advocate for matters of consequence.

Concept 10 of 21

settled

Precedent and stare decisis

What the bigger court already decided binds the smaller court in similar facts.

Definition

Courts generally follow the reasoned decisions of higher courts in similar cases, so that law stays predictable.

Step 1

Predict first

In one or two sentences, what do you think this concept means? Wrong is fine; the small struggle is what makes the answer stick.