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Stare Decisis
Stare Decisis
The doctrine of precedent refers to the doctrine that the court is to follow
judicial decisions in earlier cases when the same points relating to the
law are present before it in subsequent matters.
The concept of stare decisis furthers three primary goals. Firstly the
doctrine promotes confidence amongst the citizens to plan their
economic and social transactions.
It does this by providing them the confidence that they are in compliance
with the law. It also encourages private settlement of the disputes as the
court may infer its decision on the basis of this doctrine.
The doctrine of stare decisis in its present form appears to not have
existed in India during the pre-British era. Post-establishment of British
rule in the country the concept of binding precedent came to be
applicable in India.
For a case that has been earlier decided by a lower court the higher court
can do the following:
Reverse: The decision and the initial decision will cease to have any
effect
Overrule Wherein a later case a higher court decides that the decision
on the first case is wrong. It overrules the decision of the lower court
Distinguish: Where the material facts of the case differ and the
principles decided in the precedence is too narrow to be properly applied
to the new set of facts.
Ans:
According to the doctrine of Stare decisis the lower court has to stand by
the precedent. Also, it needs to decide the case in line with the earlier
case if the facts of the case are similar. However, as the examination in
respect of which the Supreme Court gave decision is not the same as the
one for which Amar challenges in the lower court, the lower court can
also give a decision otherwise.