What principle ensures that established legal precedents are followed?

The principle that ensures established legal precedents are followed is called the Doctrine of Stare Decisis. This doctrine is fundamental to the common law system, where past judicial decisions are considered binding in future cases with similar facts or issues. The term "stare decisis" translates to "to stand by things decided," reflecting the idea that consistency and predictability in the law are paramount for justice and fairness.

By adhering to this doctrine, courts promote stability in the legal system, allowing individuals and entities to rely on previous rulings to guide their behaviors and expectations. This principle helps avoid arbitrary decisions and encourages judges to follow legal reasoning established in prior cases.

In contrast, the other doctrines do not focus specifically on the adherence to legal precedents. The Doctrine of Natural Justice pertains to the rights of parties to fair hearing and due process. The Doctrine of Equity is concerned with principles that allow courts to achieve fairness and justice in cases where strict legal rules may lead to unjust outcomes. The Doctrine of Legal Informality deals with the validity of legal documents and formalities required for certain transactions. None of these is specifically aimed at maintaining consistency through the adherence to established judicial decisions like the Doctrine of Stare Decisis does.