Final answer:
The doctrine which mandates that courts adhere to authoritative prior rulings is called stare decisis, signifying the importance of consistency and previous case law as a guiding principle in judicial decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The doctrine that requires courts to follow authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case is known as stare decisis. This legal principle upholds consistency and stability in the legal system, ensuring that cases with similar facts are generally decided the same way, based on the rule of law established in earlier cases. Under the doctrine of stare decisis, judges refer to past decisions (precedents) as guides for deciding new cases, thus promoting an even-handed administration of justice.