Glossary
Legal research glossary
Clear, plain-language definitions of the terms that come up in case-law research.
Obiter dicta
Remarks or observations in a judgment that are not essential to the decision and are therefore persuasive but not binding.
Ratio decidendi
The legal principle or reasoning that is essential to a court's decision and is binding on lower courts.
Stare decisis
The doctrine that courts should follow precedent set by higher courts in the same jurisdiction.