Private Law Tutor in London - The role of precedent in English common law is fundamental to ensuring consistency, predictability, and fairness in legal decisions. Precedent, or stare decisis, means that courts follow earlier judicial decisions when ruling on similar cases. Binding precedents from higher courts must be followed by lower courts, while persuasive precedents may influence but do not bind. This system allows the law to evolve gradually through judicial interpretation while maintaining stability. Law tutors emphasize understanding how precedent works in practice, including exceptions and overruling, equipping students to analyze case law critically and apply it effectively in legal arguments and decision-making.