stare decisis

noun

sta·​re de·​ci·​sis ˌster-ē-di-ˈsī-səs 

ˌstär-

: a doctrine or policy of following rules or principles laid down in previous judicial decisions unless they contravene the ordinary principles of justice

Examples of stare decisis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But several other parts of the government often do the same thing; what lawyers call stare decisis is merely a formalization of a natural tendency in organizational decision-making. —The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

What makes the Court different from other political actors is stare decisis, the tradition of respecting its earlier decisions, something Congress does not have to worry about. —Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

Additionally, the Tax Court explained that its earlier reasoning in Hallmark was not just based on stare decisis (i.e., relying on past cases of the Tax Court), but rather also the prior-construction canon. —Timothy M. Todd, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023

Despite this, the justices still declined to overturn the exemption on stare decisis grounds. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 21 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin, to stand by decided matters

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

stare decisis

noun

sta·​re de·​ci·​sis ˈster-ē-di-ˈsī-sis, ˈstär-ē-; ˈstä-rā-dā-ˈkē-sēs 

: the doctrine under which courts adhere to precedent on questions of law in order to insure certainty, consistency, and stability in the administration of justice with departure from precedent permitted for compelling reasons (as to prevent the perpetuation of injustice)

Etymology

New Latin, to stand by things that have been settled