concepts
type: Collection
type: ConceptGroup
member: stare decisis

concepts, theories, and legal principles
type: Concept
narrower: stare decisis

judicial precedent
type: Concept
narrower: stare decisis

stare decisis
type: Concept
broader: judicial precedent
broader: concepts, theories, and legal principles
definition: Stare decisis represents the principle of doctrinal precedent underpinning American common law. (The term stare decisis is Latin for “to stand by things decided.”) The doctrine of stare decisis encourages courts to resolve like cases alike, meaning that judges should follow earlier rulings when confronting issues that have been before them in prior litigation. [Source: Encyclopedia of Education Law; Stare Decisis]