The legal principle of following established court decisions (usually in the phrase 'stare decisis,' meaning to stand by previous decisions).
From Latin decisis, past participle of decidere (to decide/cut off). In law, this term refers to the precedent system where courts follow earlier rulings to maintain consistency and stability.
'Stare decisis' is Latin for 'stand by the decision'—it's why an old Supreme Court ruling can still control modern cases! This concept keeps law predictable rather than letting judges reinvent the wheel every trial.
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