Where Did Stare Decisis Originate?

The words originate from the phrasing of the principle in the Latin maxim Stare decisis et non quieta movere: "to stand by decisions and not disturb the undisturbed". In a legal context, this means that courts should abide by precedent and not disturb settled matters.

What is the origin of stare decisis?

Stare decisis is a legal term that refers to the doctrine of precedent, well established in common law – court rulings being guided by previous judicial decisions. The term is derived from a Latin phrase that means “to stand by things decided” or “let the decision stand.”

What branch is stare decisis?

The Supreme Court applies the doctrine of stare decisis by following the rules of its prior decisions unless there is a "special justification"—or, at least, "strong grounds"—to overrule precedent.