Question

a case may be mandatory authority, which must be followed under the doctrine of stare decisis, or a case may be persuasive authority, which may but is not required to be followed.

Answer 1

Stare decisis is a legal principle that requires judges to follow previous court decisions. Precedent plays a crucial role in ensuring consistency and stability in the law.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stare decisis, a Latin term meaning "to stand by the decision," is a legal principle dictating that previous court decisions should guide and justify present rulings. It encompasses two types of cases: mandatory authority, which must be adhered to, and persuasive authority, which is not obligatory but may be considered.

Judges rely on precedent, past legal decisions, to inform their current judgments, fostering consistency and stability in the law. Nonetheless, disagreements among judges regarding applicable precedents and the absence of established precedents in emerging legal domains may occur. While stare decisis aims to provide a framework for legal consistency, its application is nuanced, and judicial interpretation may vary, especially in evolving legal landscapes where precedents may be scarce or contested.