What legal principle ensures that courts follow established legal precedent?

The legal principle that ensures courts follow established legal precedent is known as stare decisis. This doctrine is fundamental to the rule of law within common law systems, promoting consistency and predictability in legal decisions. When a court resolves a legal issue and establishes a rule, subsequent courts are expected to follow that ruling in future cases with similar circumstances. This not only aids in maintaining stability in the legal system but also helps individuals and entities understand their rights and obligations based on previously decided cases.

The concept of stare decisis underscores the importance of prior judicial decisions, giving weight to the legal interpretations that have already been established. By adhering to these precedents, courts reinforce the notion that similar cases should be treated alike, thus fostering fairness and reducing arbitrary legal interpretations. This principle is especially important in appellate courts, which provide authoritative guidance that lower courts are bound to follow.

Other options mention different legal concepts: equity refers to legal principles that aim to achieve fairness and justice in cases not adequately addressed by strict statutory laws; substantive law encompasses the body of law that governs rights and duties as opposed to procedural law which outlines the processes of the legal system; and public law encompasses regulations and statutes that govern the relationship between individuals and the government. While relevant in their own contexts, they