settled precedent

[ˈsɛtəld ˈprɛsɪdənt]
nounpl: settled precedents
precedente consolidado
1. A legal principle or decision that has been established through long usage and acceptance in law, and is no longer subject to dispute or change
The Supreme Court's ruling on freedom of speech is now a settled precedent that lower courts must follow.
A decisão da Suprema Corte sobre liberdade de expressão é agora um precedente consolidado que os tribunais inferiores devem seguir.
2. A firmly established judicial decision that serves as an authoritative rule for future similar cases
This settled precedent has guided contract law for over a century.
Este precedente consolidado tem orientado o direito contratual por mais de um século.
In the United States, settled precedents are fundamental to the common law system and represent decades or centuries of judicial interpretation. Courts are generally required to follow them through the doctrine of stare decisis ('let the decision stand'). In Brazil, while precedent is important, the civil law system places greater emphasis on written legislation, though jurisprudência pacífica (settled jurisprudence) carries significant persuasive authority. The concept is less binding in Portugal's civil law jurisdiction.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
established precedentbinding precedentlegal precedentstare decisisjurisprudence constante
Antonyms / Antônimos
overturned precedentunsettled questionnovel issuedisputed ruling

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
precedente consolidado
Standard legal term used in Brazilian courts and legal documents
São Paulo
precedente pacífico
Alternative term emphasizing peaceful acceptance and uniformity of judicial decisions
Portugal
precedente firmemente estabelecido
Portuguese legal systems use more descriptive phrasing; precedent is less binding than in common law systems
United States
settled precedent / jurisprudência consolidada
Core concept in American common law system; carries significant binding authority

Related Words

stare decisisjudicial precedentcase lawjurisprudênciajurisprudência pacíficacomum acordodecisão judicialsúmula

Related Idioms & Phrases

beyond settled precedent
depart from settled precedent
consistent with settled precedent
follow settled precedent
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