LL.

M IInd Sem
Jurisprudence II (L- 2002)
Precedent
Introduction
precedent as a source of law. Precedent in the sense of employment of past
decisions as guides in the moulding of future decisions is in no manner
peculiar to common law systems, but has been found in almost all the
developed systems of law. The chief merit of common law systems lies rather
in a particular mode in which this device is employed, that is, that precedents
are in certain circumstances binding, which means, that they have either to be
followed or distinguished. These circumstances are mainly that the decisions
of the higher courts bind lower, never vice versa, and that in the chant
language of Jessel M R “the only thing in a judge s decision binding as an
authority upon a subsequent judge is the principle upon which the case was
decided”. Thus, if a judicial precedent speaks with authority and that the
principle which it contains would be binding in future cases, precedent then
becomes an important source of law, but not the sole source of law.
Definition
Salmond: -Precedent is, ‘in a loose sense, it includes merely reported case
law which may be cited & followed by courts.’ In a strict sense, that case law
which not only has a great binding authority but must also be followed.
Grey: - Judicial precedent covers everything said or done which furnished a
rule for subsequent practice.
Bentham: -'precedents are judge made laws’.
Keeton: - Judicial precedent is a judicial decision to which authority has in
some measure been attached.
Austin: -precedent is “judiciary s law”.
Doctrine of Precedent in England
This doctrine is known as “the doctrine of Stare decisis “ it means “to stand
by things decided “it implies that a judicial decision should be allowed to
stand in its rightful place .when a judicial decision lays down a new principle
,it is binding on the subordinate courts .the main base of this doctrine are:-
 1. Every court is bound to follow the decisions of the superior courts.
2. Supreme court of India is not bound by its own decisions. However, a
smaller bench is bound by the decision delivered by a larger bench.
3. The decisions of one particular high court are not binding on any other high
court. They only have persuasive value in other high courts.
Authoritative and persuasive precedents
The precedent is authoritative and binding. Authoritative precedents have
binding force. The judge has to follow them irrespective of the fact whether
he approves the m or not. In India a decision given by the supreme court
becomes an authoritative precedent for the high courts and all subordinate
courts below the high courts. Persuasive precedents only have persuasive
value. The judge is not bound to follow them
Classification Court in England: -

House of Lords

Privy Council

Court of appeal [Civil and Criminal]

High Court

Divisional Courts

County and Magistrate Courts

Classification Court in India: -

Doctrine of Precedent Under Indian Law: -
The doctrine of precedent is established in India .All subordinate courts are
bound by the decisions of the superior courts .
Origin and development of the precedent in India :-
1. Doctrine of precedent in dependent India.
2. Doctrine of precedent in independent India.
The Position of Precedent in Supreme Court
The supreme court of India came into existence in January 1950 it is the
highest court in the country. It comprises of 31 judges. The senior most judge
is designated as the Chief justice. According to article 141 of the constitution
,the law declared by it shall be binding on all courts within the territory of
India .The expression “all court “used in this article obviously means court
other than the supreme court .The decision of the supreme court is binding on
the high court and cannot be ignored by it on the ground that relevant
provisions were not brought to the notice of the supreme court ,and hence
its decision is not binding . The doctrine of precedent in the supreme court of
India can be better understood by reference to the following point: -
1) The supreme court is not bound by its own previous decisions. However, a
smaller bench is bound by the decision given by a larger bench.
2) The supreme court is not bound by the decisions of the Privy Council and
the federal court of India. They only have a persuasive value in the supreme
court. However, they command great respect in the supreme court.
3) The supreme court is not bound by the decisions of foreign court like the
supreme court of USA or UK
Some Important Cases: -
 Bengal Immunity co ltd VS state of Bihar ,AIR 1955 SC.
 Sajjan Singh VS State of Raj, AIR 1965,SC.
 Golak Nath VS State of Punj, AIR 1967 SC
 Kesavananda Bharati VS State of Kerala 1973 ,4 SCC.
The Position of Precedent in High Court: -
There are 25 high court in India for 29 state and 7 Union Territories .Every
high court is headed by a chief justice .The National Capital territory of Delhi
is the only Union Territory to have a separate High court .Article 141 states
,”the law declared by the Supreme court shall be binding on all courts within
the territory of India “.The term “law declared” means not only the ratio
decidendi of a decision but it includes an obiter dictum also ,”provided it is
upon a point raised and argued .” judicial propriety dignity and decorum
demand that being the highest judicial tribunal in the country even the obiter
dictum of the supreme court should be accepted as binding .
1) Every high court is absolutely bound by the decisions of the supreme court
of India.
2) The subordinate courts within the jurisdiction of a high court are bound by
the decisions of that high court for ex. All district courts in Punjab Haryana
and Chandigarh are bound by the decisions of the Punjab and Haryana high
court.
3) The decisions of one high court only have a persuasive value before other
high court and the subordinate courts falling within the jurisdiction of other
high courts.
4) A single judge bench of the high court is bound by the decisions of a
division bench (2 judge bench) a full bench (3 judge bench) of the same high
court.
5) The high court in India are not bound by the decisions of foreign courts.
The Position of Precedent in Subordinate Court: -
There are various subordinate court in India at state level like district and
session court, magistrate’s court, civil court, etc. These subordinate court are
bound by the decisions of the supreme court.
Forms of Precedents: -
A) Ratio Decidendi
B) Obiter Dicta
A) Ratio Decidendi: -the literal meaning of term “ratio decidendi “is reasons
for the decision. It is the rule of law upon which a judicial decision Is
 based. In other world, it is the operative part of a judgement. According to
Salmond ratio decidendi as the rule governing a particular case, as
determined by the court. The main theory of Ratio Decidendi are: -
1) Classical Theory
2) Good Hart’s Theory
3) Salmond Theory
4) Stone’s Theory
B) Obiter Dicta: - Obiter dicta are additional observations, remarks, and
opinions on other issues made by the judge. These often explain the court’s
rationale in coming to its decision and, while they may offer guidance in
similar matters in the future, they are not binding.
Difference between Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dicta

Ratio decidendi Obiter dictum

1.Salmon defines: “the ratio decidendi 1. An obiter dictum is an

may be described roughly as the rule of announcement made by a judge in
law applied by and acted on by the course of his judgment which may
court, or the rule which the court not be unequivocally applicable to
regarded as governing the case. the issue before him.
2.Ratio decidendi is more authoritative 2. Obiter dictum has no such
than obiter dictum. binding authority.

Kinds of Judicial Precedent: -

1. Declaratory and Original Precedents
As John William Salmon explained, a declaratory precedent is one where
there is only application of an already existing rule in a legal matter.
Whereas, an original precedent is one where a new law is created and applied
in a legal matter. Original precedents are responsible for the creation of new
laws.
2. Persuasive Precedents
A persuasive precedent is a type of precedent where the judge is not required
to follow the precedent in a legal matter but will take the precedent heavily
into consideration.
 So a persuasive precedent is not a direct source of law but is considered a
historical source of law. In India, the decisions of one high court can act as
persuasive precedents in other high courts.
3. Absolutely Authoritative Precedents
In an absolutely authoritative precedent, the judges have to compulsorily
follow the judicial decision of the precedent in a case of law.
In other words, even if the judge finds the precedent to be a wrong judgment,
he is legally bound to give the same judicial decision.
For e.g. – Every court in India is absolutely bound by decisions of courts
superior to itself because of hierarchy.
4. Conditionally Authoritative Precedents
A conditionally authoritative precedent is one where generally the precedent
is absolutely authoritative but in certain special circumstances, like a supreme
court decision, it can be disregarded. The court can disregard the decision if
it is a wrong decision, or goes against the law and reason.
Importance of judicial precedent as a source of law
1)Declaratory Theory
2) Judges made law
1) Declaratory Theory: -According to this theory, the main function of
judges only declaration of law not made the law. The main jurist of this theory
are Black stone, Coke, Baddeley. This theory provides that, Judges only
discover law. They discover and declare.
Black Stone:-The function of judges is declaration of the law, not make the law.
Coke: Judicial decisions are not a source of law but the best proof of law is.
Baddeley: There is no such thing as judge-made law.
This theory was criticised on a number of grounds
Bentham and Austin: legislative power is not with Courts and they can not
even claim it.
Salmond: both at law and in equity, however the declaratory theory must be
totally rejected.
 2) Judges Make Law: - According this theory judges, not only they
declaration the law but also, they make the law. The main jurist of this theory
are Lord bacon, Gray, Diecy .
Lord Bacon: the points which the judges decide in cases of first impression
is a “distinct contribution to the existing law”.
Gray: Judges alone are the makers of Law.
Diecy: -judges made law
Where a statute clearly laid down the law, the judge has to enforce it.
The judge is confined to the facts of the case while enunciating legal
principles. Within those limits alone it can be said that judges make law.
Merits of Precedent: -
1)Respect for ancestors.
2)Saving of time.
3)Certainty in Law.
4)Satisfy the needs of the society.
5)Helps people to understand the Law.
6)Flexibility in Law.
7)practical in nature.
8) Development of Law.
Demerits of Precedent: - The demerits or disadvantages of precedent as a
source of precede of law mentioned below
1)Very large number.
2)Development of law depends upon litigation
3)It is incomplete law
4)Wrong precedent may be established
5)Overruled case may be quoted before the court
Circumstance Destroying the Binding Force Of Precedents
1) Ignorance of Statute.
2) Legislation.
3) Ignorance of decision of superior court
4)Precedent Sub Silentio
For further clarification you may reach us via
E-mail- [email protected]
Mob- 7409496868
Smt. Sudeshna
Assistant Professor
I.L.S. , CCSU Meerut