Judicial precedant- Court Hierarchy

Question 1

What is judicial precedent?

Answer 1

The source of law where past decisions of the judges create law for future judges to follow. Known as case law.

Question 2

How does the system of judicial precedent work?

Answer 2

Through a structured hierarchy so that judges know which decisions they must follow.

Question 3

What is the order of the court hierarchy?

Answer 3

.European Court of Justice
.Supreme Court
.The CoA
.Divisional courts
.inferior courts- Crown Court, Magistrates court, High Court, County Court

Question 4

What does the hierarchy show?

Answer 4

The courts at the top are binding on the courts below, so the courts at the bottom must follow decisions from higher courts. The CJEU is not bound by its own decisions