Stare decisis is best described as which concept?

• A. A ceremonial court ritual.
• B. The procedure by which a case is assigned to a judge.
• C. The principle that courts stand by decided cases and follow precedents.
• D. The method of appealing to a higher court.

Answer: (C)

It’s the idea that courts stand by decided cases and follow precedents. In common law, past rulings shape how current disputes are resolved, giving consistency and predictability to the law. Judges look to earlier decisions to interpret laws and apply established rules to new but similar situations, and higher courts’ rulings often guide those below. While precedents can be updated or distinguished when appropriate, the general practice is to follow them to maintain stability in legal outcomes. It’s not about a ceremonial ritual, nor about how a case is assigned, nor about the appeals process.