precedential

[pres-i-den-shuhl]

adjective

1. of the nature of or constituting a precedent.

2. having precedence.

precedential

/ ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or serving as a precedent

2. having precedence

Other Word Forms

• nonprecedential adjective
• unprecedential adjective
• precedentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of precedential¹

First recorded in 1635–45; precedent + -ial

Example Sentences

“Trial court decisions have no precedential value in California; they bind the parties but not another court,” noted James Fischer, an insurance law expert and professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

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“At this point, Zafirov is a district court decision without precedential value,” wrote two corporate lawyers in a recent analysis.

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She countered that the Supreme Court has never issued a precedential ruling on the matter and said the Constitution didn’t envision deadlines.

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“Moreover, the office treats its prior memos as precedential — so understanding war powers law requires understanding these prior memos. Yet, until now, no one else has been able to see them.”

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“This is a precedential system which goes both ways — if you win or lose — and sends a signal to the market,” Ms. Allensworth said.

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