What term denotes a court decision that serves as an example for subsequent cases?

The term that describes a court decision which serves as an example for subsequent cases is "precedent." Precedents play a crucial role in the legal system, particularly within common law jurisdictions, where judicial decisions can be cited and relied upon in future cases to guide legal reasoning and outcomes. When a court makes a ruling on a legal issue, that decision establishes a principle or rule that can influence later cases involving similar circumstances.

This concept promotes consistency and predictability in the law, as courts are generally expected to follow established precedents to ensure fair treatment and the upholding of legal standards over time. In contrast, terms like "judgment," "ruling," and "verdict" do not carry the same connotation of serving as ongoing legal examples for future situations. A judgment refers broadly to the final decision made by a court, a ruling refers to a particular decision made on a motion within a case, and a verdict is specifically the determination made by a jury or judge regarding the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal case or the merits of a claim in a civil case.