Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example
previously decided case which is recognized as the authority for determining future cases
a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws; "common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States"
A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign
n In Law, a previous decision, rule or practice which, in the absence of a definite statute, has whatever force and authority a Judge may choose to give it, thereby greatly simplifying his task of doing as he pleases As there are precedents for everything, he has only to ignore those that make against his interest and accentuate those in the line of his desire Invention of the precedent elevates the trial-at-law from the low estate of a fortuitous ordeal to the noble attitude of a dirigible arbitrament
(Précédent) Generally refers to something that has happened earlier in time In the courts, the ruling of an earlier court in a similar sets of circumstances is considered as a guide in deciding on a current case A decision on any point establishes a precedent which might be expected to be followed in similar situations which may arise in the future
A decision or determination of a point of law made by a court in a case to be followed by a court of the same rank, or of a lower rank, in a subsequent case presenting the same legal problem, although different parties are involved in the subsequent case
1 A previously decided case recognized as an authority for the disposition of future cases In common law, precedents were regarded as the major source of law A precedent may involve a novel question of common law or it may involve an interpretation of a statute To the extent that future cases rely upon the precedent or distinguish it from themselves without disapproving of it, the case will serve as a precedent for future cases