A precedent is something that precedes, or comes before. The Supreme Court relies on precedents—that is, earlier laws or decisions that provide some example or rule to guide them in the …

A precedent is 'binding' on a court if the precedent was made by a superior court that is higher in the hierarchy of courts. A binding precedent must be followed if the precedent is relevant and the …

I worry about giving into her demands because it then sets a precedent. The court's decision has set a legal precedent. This decision set an important legal precedent for other countries.

PRECEDENT definition: a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases. See examples of precedent used in a sentence.

Definition of precedent noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [countable, uncountable] an official action or decision that has happened in the past and that is seen as an example or a rule …

1. an act or instance that may serve as an example or justification for subsequent situations. 2. a legal decision serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in similar cases that follow. 3. established …

Jan 3, 2025 · The word "precedent" refers to an earlier action or decision that serves as a guide or example for future circumstances, particularly in legal and formal contexts.

Law a legal decision serving as a rule or pattern governing similar cases that follow:[countable] The lawyer found a precedent from a court case in the 19th century.

A precedent is something that sets a standard for future events. It's hard to say what the legal community would do without the word precedent, since so many legal judgments and decisions are …

If there is a precedent for an action or event, it has happened before, and this can be regarded as an argument for doing it again. The trial could set an important precedent for dealing with similar cases.