stare decisis

American  

[stair-ee di-sahy-sis] / ˈstɛər i dɪˈsaɪ sɪs /

noun

Law.

1. the doctrine that rules or principles of law on which a court rested a previous decision are authoritative in all future cases in which the facts are substantially the same.

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stare decisis Cultural  

1. A Latin phrase that literally means “to stand on the decisions.” It expresses the common law doctrine that court decisions should be guided by precedent.

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Etymology

Origin of stare decisis

First recorded in 1855–60, stare decisis is from Latin stāre dēcīsīs “to stand by things (that have been) settled”

Example Sentences

She distinguished one case from another, using precedents and stare decisis to guide her thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

All said they respected stare decisis, the principle that justices should be guided by the decisions made by previous courts, such as Roe and Planned Parenthood vs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2024

During Senate hearings before her confirmation, Barrett had said she would obey stare decisis, the doctrine of courts giving weight to precedent when making decisions.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2023

It formally weakened the doctrine of stare decisis and has overruled many prior precedents.

From Slate • Jun. 28, 2022

The United States Court records hold that absolute evidence, res adjudicata— stare decisis; which means, in plain English, that ends it.

From The Law of the Land by Hough, Emerson