Stare decisis is best described as what doctrine?

• A. The principle that courts must follow no prior decisions
• B. The rule that higher courts overrule lower courts' decisions
• C. A doctrine that decisions of courts create binding authority for future similar cases
• D. A rule that decisions are binding only within the same year

Answer: (C)

Stare decisis is about following precedent. In common law, once a court decides a case, that decision creates a rule that should guide future cases with similar facts. It establishes binding authority for those future cases, especially for lower courts, so similar disputes aren’t decided anew each time. This consistency and predictability remains even as higher courts may overrule earlier rulings or as laws change. It isn’t about denying prior decisions or limiting binding to one year; precedent persists across many cases and years.