The Law Dictionary for Everyone
A case of first impression is a case in which an issue that has not previously been considered or decided by a higher court. This means that there is no legally binding authority by which the case must be decided. Cases of first impression are most commonly heard after some new legislation has been passed, and an issue requires interpretation […]
Read moreThe Latin term dictum refers to a statement or observation, made by an authoritative source, which does not directly speak to the facts, or affect the outcome, of a legal case. An example of this may include the discussion of a legal principal for the purpose of illustrating, suggesting, or creating an analogy to explain a court’s decision. A dictum […]
Read moreIn the modern legal system, the term precedent refers to a rule, or principle of law, that has been established by a previous ruling by a court of higher authority, such as an appeals court, or a supreme court. Courts in the U.S. legal system place a high value on making judgments based on consistent rules in similar cases. In […]
Read moreIn courts where more than one judge, or “justice,” hears cases, such as a state or the federal Supreme Court, or some appellate courts, a majority agreement is required to make a ruling one way or another. In the event some of the judges agree with the decision of the majority, though for different reasons, those judges may write a […]
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