Precedent, often known as "stare decisis," is an important idea in law. It means that past court decisions help shape what happens in future cases.

Key Points About Precedent:

1. Binding Authority:

   • Decisions made by higher courts must be followed by lower courts in the same area.
   • For example, in Sweden, the Supreme Court's decisions are rules that lower courts have to follow. This helps make sure that laws are applied in the same way everywhere.

2. Predictability and Stability:

   • Precedents create a steady way for legal decisions to be made. This helps people and businesses know their rights and what they are expected to do.
   • Research shows that about 70% of legal cases depend on previous decisions to help make a choice.

3. Judicial Efficiency:

   • Using precedents saves time and money for the courts. They don’t have to go over the same laws for every single case.
   • For example, in criminal law, using past decisions can speed up the process, with over 60% of cases using earlier rulings.

4. Evolution of Law:

   • Precedent helps the law change as society changes. In Sweden, new laws are often created when past decisions no longer match what people believe today.

In summary, precedent is very important in the legal system. It helps keep things consistent, predictable, and allows the law to change. All of this is vital for making sure that justice and fairness are a part of our society.