Legal precedent

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/legal-precedent

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who wrote Legal precedent?Binding precedent (mandatory) and persuasive precedent (influential but not required)
2. What is the governing doctrine?Stare decisis, emphasizing adherence to established judicial decisions
3. What is the primary functions?Promotes legal consistency, predictability, fairness, and judicial efficiency
4. Why do judges follow previous decisions?Following previous decisions makes the law predictable and fair. It helps people know what to expect and keeps the legal system stable.
5. How does the idea of 'stare decisis' help the law?Stare decisis means 'to stand by what has been decided.' It tells judges to use earlier rulings when similar facts arise, keeping the law steady.

Stare decisis: A legal principle requiring courts to follow precedents set by prior decisions in similar cases.
Binding precedent: A ruling from a higher court that lower courts within the same jurisdiction must follow.
Persuasive precedent: A prior decision that a court may consider but is not obligated to follow.