THE DOCTRINE OF PRECEDENT- Flashcards

1
Q

What is the English system of precedent based on?

A

-The latin maxim ‘stare decisis’

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2
Q

What does ‘stare decisis’ mean?

A

‘stand by what has been decided and do not unsettle on the established’

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3
Q

What is entailed in the judgement speech?
(5)
(seal)

A
  • giving the decision/explanation of the reasons of decision
  • gives a summary of the facts of the case
  • Reviews the arguments put to him by advocates
  • explains the principles of law used in decision
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4
Q

What are the principles of a judgement named in latin?

&What does this mean

A

‘ratio decidendi’

-the reason for deciding’

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5
Q

What does the ratio decidendi do?

A

Creates precedent for judges to follow in future cases

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6
Q

If the judgement is the ratio decidendi, what is the rest of the judgement known as?
+what does this mean ?

A

Obiter dicta

‘Other things said’

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7
Q

How do Divisional Courts&The Court of Appeal cases differ to Courts of first instance in regards to the judgement?

A

Divisional Courts&The Court of Appeal cases are heard by at least 2 judges, usually 3 , unlike the courts of first instance where there will be only one judge and therefore only 1 judgement

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8
Q

How does the Supreme Court differ from all other courts in terms of judges ?

A

Supreme Court judges panel consist of uneven number of judges, 3,5,7,9 in order to achieve a majority verdict
-More than 1 judgement

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9
Q

When is it common for there to be more than one judgement in a case?
(2)

A
  • cases involving particularly important or complicated point of law
  • Judges may want to explain their legal reasoning on the point , E.g a dissenting judge
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10
Q

What is a complication of reading older judgements on cases for judges to now use to refer to past precedent?

A

Older judgements are usually in a continuous form and so there are no headings specifying what is meant to be part of the ratio and what is meant to be the obiter

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11
Q

What has Sir Rupert Cross defined ratio as?

A

‘any rule expressly or impliedly treated by the judge as a necessary step in reaching his conclusion’

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12
Q

What has Michael Zander defined ratio as?

A

‘a proposition of law which decides the case, in the light or in the context of material facts’

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13
Q

What part of a judges statement, if stated, would be part of the obiter dicta ?

A

-If the judge speculated as to what their decision would have been if the facts of the case had been different

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14
Q

How are hypothetical situations created by the judges in obiter dicta important?

A

They can be considered in future cases

BUT is not a binding precedent

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15
Q

what idea does ‘stare desis’ support?

A

-Supports the idea of fairness and provides certainty in law

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