What is the doctrine of stare decisis?

Stare decisis is a legal concept in the judicial system of the Commonwealth of Virginia that refers to established precedent. It is a Latin phrase that translates to “let the decision stand.” This concept is important when it comes to Administrative Law in Virginia because it provides a basis for future decisions. In essence, stare decisis is a way for one court to follow the holding of another court. This means that the Virginia Supreme Court, for example, will be typically be bound by the holdings of the Court of Appeals. Similarly, the Court of Appeals will be bound by the decisions of the Circuit Courts, and the Circuit Courts are bound by the decisions of the District and General District Courts. Stare decisis is a powerful doctrine, as it helps maintain consistency in the judicial system and allows lawyers, judges, and judicial officers to rely upon established precedent to make decisions. By adhering to the rules of the doctrine of stare decisis, it reduces the chances of uncertainty in the court system and the possibility of different outcomes based on different judges or attorneys. It also helps protect the rights of citizens by allowing them to rely on the decisions of the court. It is important to note that stare decisis is a flexible doctrine in Virginia. There are instances when a court may choose to modify or overturn a prior decision, but the court will still consider the precedent when rendering a final decision.

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What is the doctrine of stare decisis?

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