Which statements describe the relationship between lower and higher courts in terms of precedent?

• A. Lower courts must follow decisions of higher courts in the same jurisdiction
• B. Higher courts must follow lower court decisions
• C. There is no relation between them
• D. Lower courts can ignore higher court decisions if they disagree

Answer: (A)

In a court system that uses precedent, decisions made by higher courts establish rules that bind all lower courts in the same jurisdiction. This downward flow of authority, driven by the doctrine of stare decisis, ensures consistency and predictability in how the law is applied. Once a higher court interprets a statute or resolves a legal issue, lower courts must apply that same interpretation in future cases, unless the higher court later overrules or modifies it. That’s why the statement about lower courts following higher court decisions is the correct reflection of how precedent operates. The other possibilities don’t fit because higher courts are not bound by lower court rulings, there is a clear relationship across court levels, and lower courts cannot simply ignore higher court decisions.