In jurisdictions using a common law system, the doctrine of stare decisis applies, whereby the principles applied by the supreme court in its decisions are binding upon all lower courts; this is intended to apply a uniform interpretation and implementation of the law. In civil law jurisdictions the doctrine of stare decisis is not generally considered to apply, so the decisions of the supreme court are not necessarily binding beyond the immediate case before it; however, in practice the decisions of the supreme court usually provide a very strong precedent, or jurisprudence constante, for both itself and all lower courts. COUNT 5
QSN1 What term describes a system where the supreme court's decisions are binding over the lower courts? ANS1 stare decisis QSN2 What jurisdictions does this system not apply to? ANS2 civil law jurisdictions QSN3 In a civil law jurisdiction, rulings by a supreme court are only binding for which decisions? ANS3 the immediate case before it QSN4 Even in civil law jurisdictions, decisions by supreme courts establish what? ANS4 a very strong precedent QSN5 What is the legal term for the precedence established by multiple court rulings? ANS5 jurisprudence constante