What is the role of the Doctrine of Precedent?

• A. It increases judges' creative freedom.
• B. It ensures common law remains relatively stable.
• C. It eliminates the need for common law.
• D. It allows courts to ignore past decisions.

Answer: (B)

The core idea is that the Doctrine of Precedent creates stability and predictability in the law by binding courts to follow decisions made in higher courts in similar cases. When a court applies a past ruling, people can anticipate how the law will be applied, which helps individuals and businesses plan and act with confidence. Changes to the law occur gradually, as judges distinguish a current case from prior ones or as higher courts overrule earlier decisions when warranted by new circumstances. This balance keeps the common law steady while allowing it to develop over time. The doctrine doesn’t give judges more creative freedom, nor does it eliminate or bypass common law, and courts don’t ignore past decisions—except in limited situations where departing from precedent is legally justified.