StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent" describes what scholars in the legal profession concur in defining legal precedent as sources of the law that involve past decisions by various juries developing the law for use by other judges in future…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.2% of users find it useful
The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent"

The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent Scholars in the legal profession concur in defining legal precedent as sources of the law that involve past decisions by various juries developing the law for use by other judges in future when making decisions on related or similar cases (Law Commission, 2007, p. 21). The British judicial system applies precedence based on stare decisis. The application within the English system developed from Latin including its translations. Loosely, stare decisis means standing by decisions already made (YANG, 2012, p. 12). Stare decisis to offer certainty and fairness in law. Lord Neuberger (2010, p. 14) categorizes them into two: obiter dicta and ratio decidendi. A standard of law used by a judge to arrive at a particular judgment while concluding the case defines what ratio decidendi entails (GLOS, 1979, p. 93). The facts applied in the delivery of a particular decision must fall in the speech provided at the end of the case. On the surface, ratio decidendi refers to a rule implied or expressed by a judge as an important factor in arriving at his or her conclusion. On the other hand, obiter dictum constitutes issues said by the presiding judge (Swadling, 2008, p. 33). They do not form part of what another judge can follow in future. Among other things, an example of obiter dicta could be the decision of the judge if the facts turn out as different from the previous case. In this context, the old facts cannot bind the new judge while reaching his conclusion (Tamanaha, 2010). Sometimes cutting an exact difference between obiter dicta and ratio decidendi becomes difficult because they flow in a continuous manner. While making the judgment in the Broome v. Cassell case (RAISCH, & SHAFFER,1995, p. 66), Lord Hailsham of Marylebone put forth that, it is a necessity for every court in the lower tie to agree loyally with decisions made by courts above in the hierarchy. They include the Court of Appeal because it comes second in command (CARTER, & TRIMBLE, 1991, p. 19). In many circumstances, the principle of the precedent is simple. It is necessary for judges to make decisions in the same way former judges made them enhancing certainty with courts falling lower in the rank following trends set by their superior counterparts. Same cases must receive similar judgments as well as related cases. The doctrine of precedent aims at facilitating certainty and stability within the law (NIHON DAIGAKU, 1983, p. 63). Under this mission, the Law Commission, (2007, p. 67) documents that the law strives to advance justice to parties involved in the case. The desire to justify processes followed in making a reasonable judgment, the urge to avoid usurping the function of the legislature, as well as the desire to use one of the things raised by parties in the case to make decisions fall among the changes. Much difference in the binding authority based on persuasive aspects and features that bind judges strictly (Hale, 2012, p. 16). Conditions of the previous case that bind another case in the future include among others having a statement of law and delivered by a senior court with binding authority. Others are decisions being a component of ratio decidendi defined by legal minds as the basis on which the court reached the conclusion and must display similarities with the latter case with no significant differences. The obiter dictum is for notation merely and does not possess binding authority. Decisions by the senior most court bind all other courts within the British legal system. Until nineteen sixty-six, the exception extended to the court itself. In Britain, the House Lords occupies the position of the Supreme Court (Lord Kerr, 25). Decisions made by and in the court are applicable in law. In the US, the Supreme Court is the final decision-making office in the judiciary. The doctrine of precedent is an old practice started in the nineteenth century with reaffirmation occurring two years before the turn of the twentieth century in a case pitting London Tramways Company and London County Council (1898) (Hale, 2012, p. 53). The purpose behind this traditional practice was that judgments delivered by the most Supreme Court in Britain remained final to propagate certainty in the corridors of justice (Law Commission, 2007, p. 71). It would advance finality in litigation while at the same time bringing order within the system. The Judicial Precedent 1966 developed the same year through Practice Statement enabling the senior most court to avoid remaining tied to its earlier decisions (ESSEN, 1955, p. 117). In the new development, the House of Lord would henceforth take powers and authority to make decisions different from their former decisions where necessary. The decision mandates the House of Lords to modify the English making it dynamic in view of developments in the society and around the globe (Slapper, & Kelly, 2009, p. 69). In addition to many more issues, the court now continues in tandem with changing social conditions and abiding by better decisions made by courts within the Commonwealth. The decisions to make these changes were informed by the sense of bringing the court at the apex to the same level and terms with other superior courts in other members of the Commonwealth. These courts do not stick to the previously delivered decisions. The fact that an Act of Parliament can override decisions by the House of Lords is significant in these circumstances. As much as decisions made by and in the Privy Council do not bind, they carry a high degree of influence. The case of Tai Hing Ltd v. Liu Chong Hing Bank (1986) (Swadling, 2008, p. 126) in the biggest court shows that decisions in the Privy Council must adhere to what takes place at the top of the judiciary (CLARK, 1917, p. 116). The Court of Appeal comes immediately after the House of Lords in the hierarchy and follows decisions delivered its superior to the latter. Several cases continue to alter the practice in the court that falls second in the hierarchy sticking to its former decisions (Simon Whittaker, 2006, p. 37). Most of these cases relate closely to the process of interpreting cases by the defense of provocation provided in the Homicide Act of 1957 subsection three. The cases include R v. Luc Thiet Thuan (1992), Camplin (1978) v. R, as well as R. v. Campbell (1997) (NIHON DAIGAKU, 1983, 25) among much more. The Court of Appeal also receives authority from HRA to overrule its earlier decision delivered before the inception of HRA (ESSEN, 1955, p. 79). The Court of Appeal applied this authority in the Fitzpatrick v. Sterling House Association. The epitome of the decision-making in the judiciary allowed the HRA to extend the right of partners of the same sex to take over statutory tenancy by including them in the order of members of the deceased family in the Rent Act of 1977. In the Ghaidan v. Mendoxa (2002) (Slapper, & Kelly, 2009, p. 88) case, the Court of Appeal applied subsection three of an HRA Act to allow same sex partners join the list of people inheriting property left behind by the deceased (Damaška, 1986, p. 41). Appearing contradictory was when the Court of Appeal termed a decision by the House Lords null and void entailed the case of East Berkshire Community NHS Trust v. D. (2004). In such a situation, the Court of Appeal struck out a case the highest court in the land involving Bedfordshire County Council, v. X (Minor) (1994) following the introduction of the HRA (MORRIS, 1984, p. 114). The House of Lorna approved this stand in the London Borough of Lambeth, v. Kay (2005) (SCOLES, & HAY, 1992, p. 117). In a case involving two decisions that conflict, then the court takes the responsibility of taking sides. However, the court throws out a case involving per incurring decisions. The Court of Appeal also has the civil decision whose decisions bind other divisional courts within High Courts, inferior courts such as employment appeal tribunals, and high court judges in their individual capacities. Using the Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd-1944 KB 718 v. Young (EVANS, 2006, p. 93), these courts have an obligation of following decisions delivered by the House of Lords (VON MEHREN, NAFZIGER, & SYMEONIDES, 2002, p. 156). There is also the criminal division of the second court in the land where its decisions bind the divisional courts in high courts, inferior courts such as employment appeal tribunals, as well as high court judges in their individual delivery cases. As much as their decisions remain in line with those of the senior most court, the level of rigidity is low. The liberty of the appellant makes the adjustments allowed in the criminal division possible. The jury presiding over the Spencer, v. R. (1981) (McCluskey, 2011, p. 9) in the criminal division would not abide by earlier decisions. It is essential to remember that decisions made by High Courts and in the High Court bind all other inferior courts without exception. However, a decision by one High Court does not bind other Courts at the same level (VANCE, 1890, p. 21). The same divisions do not bind both criminal and civil divisions. Nonetheless, decisions in the divisional courts influence the decisions of judges sitting individually in several cases (COLLIER, 2001, p. 192). Another section involves the Crown Court that remains bound on the judgments delivered by juries sitting in both the House of Lords as well as the Court of Appeal (Elliot, & Quinn, 2012, p. 92). It is also worth applying judgments by individual judges presiding over cases in the Crown Court to make deliveries by High Court judges (WILSON, 1935, p. 26). Magistrate and county courts do not precedent authorities and remain bound by decisions in the superior courts. Each case in the courts must have obiter dictum that constitutes a statement made in the process of delivering judgment and the ratio decidendi, which entails the major factor resulting from the decision (HAYWARD, & MAYSS, 2006, p. 56). The corridors of justice also have other sources carrying persuasive authority and include books among them Bracton thirteenth century, Glanville twelfth century, Blackstone eighteenth century, as well as the Coke seventeenth century. Summarily, it is of consequence to note that common laws do not need their binding authority using a single act of parliament enactment (SHAW, 2003, p. 81). However, it requires a series of enactments. The essence is not on the quantity of constant changes, but on the process through which the same law develops starting from the ratio decidendi in several cases (BOGDAN, 1994, p. 65). Sometimes cutting an exact difference between obiter dicta and ratio decidendi becomes difficult because they flow in a continuous manner (BRILMAYER, 1995, p. 71)). The fact is that the law did not develop in a single law-making exercise. It is a product of many cases and the cases continue to improve. BibliographyTop of Form BOGDAN, M. (1994). Comparative law. Deventer, Netherlands, Kluwer. BRILMAYER, L. (1995). Conflict of laws. Boston, Little, Brown. CARTER, B. E., & TRIMBLE, P. R. (1991). International law. Boston, Little, Brown. CLARK, G. L. (1917). Conflict of laws. Chicago, Blackstone Institute. http://www.gale.com/ModernLaw/. COLLIER, J. G. (2001). Conflict of laws. Cambridge, U.K., Cambridge University Press. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=153357. Damaška, M. 1986, The Faces of Justice and State Authority; A Comparative Approach to the Legal Process. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 16-46. Elliot, C & Quinn, F, 2012, Sources of Law. Longman. London. Pp. 92 ESSEN, J. L. F. V. (1955). Immunities in international law. Leyden, A.W. Sijthoff. EVANS, M. D. (2006). International law. Oxford, Oxford University Press. GLOS, G. E. (1979). Comparative law. Littleton, Colo, F. B. Rothman. Hale, B. 2012, ‘Argentoratum Locutum: is Strasbourg or the Supreme Court supreme?’12 Human Rights Law Review 65. Pp 6-66 HAYWARD, R., & MAYSS, A. J. (2006). Conflict of laws. London, U.K., Cavendish. Law Commission. 2007, Cohabitation: The Financial Consequences of Relationship Breakdown, Law Com No 307. Pp. 21-74 Lee, J. 2012, A Civil Law for the Age of Statutes’ in J Steele and TT Arvind, Tort Law and the Legislature: Common law, statute, and the dynamics of legal change. Oxford, Hart Publishing. pp. 66 Lord Kerr, ‘The UK Supreme Court: The modest underworker of Strasbourg?’ Clifford Chance Lecture, 25. Lord Neuberger MR, 2010, Has Equity Had its Day?’ Hong Kong Common Law Lecture 2010, 12 October 2010. Pp. 12-36 Accessed on May 23, 2014. McCaughey, 2011, Re: Application for Judicial Review [2011] UKSC 20, Pp. 93. McCluskey, J. 2011, ‘Supreme error'. 15 Edinburgh Law Review 276, 278 fns 9. MORRIS, J. H. C. (1984). The conflict of laws. London, Stevens. NIHON DAIGAKU. (1983). Comparative law. Tokyo, Comparative Law Institute, Nihon University. RAISCH, M. J., & SHAFFER, R. I. (1995). Introduction to transnational legal transactions. New York, Oceana Publications. Bottom of Form SCOLES, E. F., & HAY, P. (1992). Conflict of laws. St. Paul, Minn, West Pub. Co. SHAW, M. N. (2003). International law. Cambridge, U.K., Cambridge University Press. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=125137. Simon Whittaker, 2006, ‘Precedent in English Law: A View from the Citadel’, Eur. Rev. Private L. 705, 741-742. Slapper, G & Kelly, D, 2009, The English Legal System 9th Ed. Routledge. Cavendish. Pp. 66-90 Swadling, W. 2008, ‘Explaining Resulting Trusts’ (2008) 124 Law Quarterly Reviews 72, 96, Pp 61- 126. Tamanaha, B. Z. (2010). Beyond the formalist-realist divide the role of politics in judging. Princeton, Princeton University Press. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=483591. VANCE, J. H. (1890). Jurisdiction. Ann Arbor, Mich, Argus Book and Job Rooms. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/MOML?af=RN&ae=F103264699&srchtp=a&ste=14&locID=dfg_moml. VON MEHREN, A. T., NAFZIGER, J. A. R., & SYMEONIDES, S. (2002). Law and justice in a multi-state world: essays in honor of Arthur T. von Mehren. Ardsley, N.Y., Transnational Publishers. WILSON, G. G. (1935). International law. New York, Silver, Burdett, and Company. YANG, X. (2012). Jurisdiction. [New York], Oxford University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/OBO/9780199796953-0030. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/law/1646896-the-doctrine-of-judicial-precedent
(The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words)
https://studentshare.org/law/1646896-the-doctrine-of-judicial-precedent.
“The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/law/1646896-the-doctrine-of-judicial-precedent.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent

Do Judges Make the Law or Find It

In common law countries, the case law left behind by the judges is used in applying to other cases that relate to the previous ones based on The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent.... It has been argued to a greater extent that The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent is an indirect way in which judges make law.... the doctrine of separation of powers stipulates that each branch of the government should not interfere with the mandate and roles of the other branch and each branch should be allowed to operate independently....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Types of Judicial Precedent

Despite the importance of judicial precedent higher courts can have an effect on it and this occurs when the following occurs: This happens when a court rejects decisions of an earlier case on the bases that there were not sufficient facts to support the decision, in this case, therefore, judicial precedent is affected.... Certainty is presentAdvantage and disadvantage of judicial precedent:Advantages:Certainty:Certainty is present in law whereby a decision is made in a particular way, in the case where the cases were not based on precedent then there would be the occurrence of uncertainty whereby citizens would not clearly know their rights....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

The Doctrine of Precedent

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the doctrine of Precedent which is considered as both a blessing and a curse.... At this point, it is important to state that the doctrine of Precedents usually refer to the cases examined and considered by the Court of Appeal or the House of Lords.... It is important to stress out that the doctrine of Precedents are not concerned as to who won or lost in the case.... Obiter dicta are not binding, however, they may be dealt with as a persuasive authority, wherein the later judges are entitled to read them and be influenced by them, but they are not obliged to follow these parts of judicial pronouncements....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Doctrine of Precedent can be considered both a Blessing and a Curse

Within this essay, the history of the doctrine of Precedent will be outlined, there will be references to two preceding cases, relevant terms will be defined and the advantages and disadvantages of the doctrine of Precedent as a basis for common law will be argued.... udicial law is a large part of the doctrine of Precedent.... There are many convincing arguments both for and against the use of the doctrine of Precedent in Australia....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Doctrine of Judicial Precedent

The criminal division is composed of the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court (See Fig.... 1).... The determination of which court handles which case is decided on the kind and gravity of the offense. The Magistrates Court try both civil and criminal cases.... hellip; It can also try either way-cases – cases which can be tried either in the magistrates' courts or in crown courts....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Doctrine of Precedent

It is a longstanding fact that the doctrine of precedent has been an integral component of… It has been contended by Duxbury that flexibility and stability are both necessary for the common law system (Waddams, 2009, p.... This is despite the fact that precedent does not bind judges to the same extent as statutes.... This requirement has been fulfilled by precedent. The common law legal system is based on precedent, which makes it possible to bring The majority of those who support precedent tend to overlook the justice seeking benefit provided by this concept, and are inclined to praise its practical value (Bader & Cleveland, 2011, p....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Defining Terrorism and Victims of Terrorism

The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent is the base for the common law system.... This court does not generally recognize the doctrine of precedent and has the freedom to depart from its own earlier decision.... The judicial precedent of Northern Ireland is somewhat similar to that of England and Wales but the precedent in Scotland shows a quite different system altogether.... The principle of stare decisis is the base for the system of precedent....
22 Pages (5500 words) Essay

Do Judges Make the Law or Find It

In common law countries, the case law left behind by the judges is used in applying to other cases that relate to the previous ones based on The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent.... It has been argued to a greater extent that The Doctrine Of Judicial Precedent is an indirect way in which judges make law.... the doctrine of separation of powers stipulates that each branch of the government should not interfere with the mandate and roles of the other branch and each branch should be allowed to operate independently....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us