What defines judicial precedent?

Judicial precedent, also known as stare decisis, is defined by the principle that past court decisions influence future cases. This means that when a court has made a ruling on a particular legal issue, that decision often serves as a guideline for courts faced with similar legal questions in subsequent cases. This consistency is key to the fairness and predictability of the law, as it allows parties to rely on established legal principles when approaching the legal system.

The importance of judicial precedent lies in its role in the development of law; it provides a framework for judges to follow, which is rooted in previous rulings. This helps maintain stability and coherence in the legal system, as parties can anticipate how the law will be applied based on earlier decisions. In contrast, options like judicial decisions from lower courts do not carry the same weight in establishing binding precedent, particularly when it comes to higher courts, and constitutional amendments and legal opinions from attorneys do not fit within the established framework of judicial precedent, which is primarily concerned with the rulings made by judicial bodies.