Editing Precedent (section)

===Binding precedent===
Binding precedent, based on the legal principle of ''stare decisis,'' requires lower courts to follow the decisions of appellate courts in the same jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Precedent and evidence |url=https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/find-legal-answers/books-online/hot-topics-courts-and-tribunals/precedent-and-evidence |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=Hot Topics: Courts and Tribunals |publisher=State Library of New South Wales |quote="A precedent is 'binding' on a court if the precedent was made by a superior court that is higher in the hierarchy of courts. A binding precedent must be followed if the precedent is relevant and the circumstances of the cases are sufficiently similar. For example, decisions of the High Court are binding on all courts in Australia, but a decision of the Supreme Court is not binding on the High Court, and a decision of the District Court is not binding on the Supreme Court."}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=binding precedent |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/binding_precedent |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |language=en |quote="Binding precedent is a legal rule or principle, articulated by an appellate court, that must be followed by lower courts within its jurisdiction. Essentially, once an appellate court reviews a case, it will deliver a written opinion. This written opinion will include the court's determination on a question of law. This determination, known as a holding, is binding on all lower courts within the jurisdiction, meaning that lower courts must apply this decision when presented with similar facts. The lower courts are thus bound, or required to follow the legal precedent set by the higher court."}}</ref> In other words, when an appellate court resolves a [[question of law]], its determination, or "[[Holding (law)|holding]]," serves as precedent that lower courts are bound to apply in cases involving similar facts or legal issues.<ref name=":6" />

For example, in the United States, decisions of the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]], as the nation's highest court, are binding on all other courts nationwide.<ref name=":6" />