stare decisis

noun

sta·​re de·​ci·​sis ˌster-ē-di-ˈsī-səs 

ˌstär-

: a doctrine or policy of following rules or principles laid down in previous judicial decisions unless they contravene the ordinary principles of justice

Examples of stare decisis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Realistically, in other words, the Court will likely decide Catholic Charities based on the justices’ personal preferences, rather than by following the doctrine of stare decisis, which says that courts should typically follow their own precedents. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 24 Mar. 2025

Lawyers love to use Latin, and recently, the U.S. Tax Court relied on the notion of stare decisis to rule on a tax case (Mukhi) based on a prior case (Farhy). —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Still, Sheridan argued that stare decisis, along with lawmakers’ inability to pass legislation effectively addressing gun safety issues, required him to rule in favor of the rifle club association. —Ray Lewis, Baltimore Sun, 1 Aug. 2024

The holdings of those cases that specific agency actions are lawful—including the Clean Air Act holding of Chevron itself—are still subject to statutory stare decisis despite our change in interpretive methodology. —Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, to stand by decided matters

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stare decisis

• crisis
• lysis
• phthisis
• ecdysis
• haemoptysis
• hemoptysis

Legal Definition

stare decisis

noun

sta·​re de·​ci·​sis ˈster-ē-di-ˈsī-sis, ˈstär-ē-; ˈstä-rā-dā-ˈkē-sēs 

: the doctrine under which courts adhere to precedent on questions of law in order to insure certainty, consistency, and stability in the administration of justice with departure from precedent permitted for compelling reasons (as to prevent the perpetuation of injustice)

Etymology

New Latin, to stand by things that have been settled