noun phrase · formal
legal precedent
/ˈliːɡəl ˈprɛsɪdənt/LE·gal PRE·ce·dent
a previous court decision that is used as a rule for deciding similar later cases
Examples
“The court relied on a long-established legal precedent.”
“Lawyers argued that the new case contradicted existing legal precedent.”
“A legal precedent can influence judges in future rulings.”
Band 8 sentence
“In my view, the Supreme Court's ruling set an important legal precedent that will shape corporate regulation for years.”
Collocations
- establish a legal precedent
- rely on a legal precedent
- overturn a legal precedent
Word family
Common mistakes
make a precedent→set a precedent
use precedent→rely on a precedent
Say it for a higher band
5example→6precedent→7+legal precedent
Synonyms
binding precedent
case law
Easily confused
binding precedent
“The appellate court's decision created a binding precedent for lower courts.”
Related words
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