FOCL Practice Test

Which principle ensures that similar cases are treated similarly in American law?

1. Legal binding

2. Stare decisis

3. Causation

4. Equity

The correct answer is: Stare decisis

The principle that ensures that similar cases are treated similarly in American law is stare decisis. This legal doctrine mandates that courts follow precedents set by previous rulings when making decisions in new but analogous cases. By adhering to stare decisis, the judiciary establishes consistency and predictability in the law, which enhances the fairness of the legal system. When a higher court has decided a particular legal issue, lower courts are obligated to follow that ruling in future cases involving the same or similar facts. This helps to cultivate stability within the legal framework, allowing individuals and entities to understand their rights and obligations based on established legal precedents. In contrast, legal binding generally refers to the obligatory nature of laws and regulations but does not specifically address the treatment of similar cases. Causation relates to the relationship between cause and effect in law, often used in tort cases to determine liability but not governing the consistency of case law. Equity pertains to fairness and justice through legal principles that may deviate from strict legal rules, yet it does not encapsulate the principle of treating similar cases alike in the same way that stare decisis does.