A Level Law Practice Exam

How does judicial precedent support fairness in the legal system?

1. By allowing judgments to vary significantly across cases

2. By ensuring similar cases are treated similarly

3. By prioritizing public opinion in court decisions

4. By disregarding past decisions in favor of new interpretations

The correct answer is: By ensuring similar cases are treated similarly

Judicial precedent supports fairness in the legal system primarily by ensuring that similar cases are treated similarly. This principle, known as the doctrine of stare decisis, establishes a framework where courts are obliged to follow precedents set by higher courts in previous decisions. This consistency promotes predictability in the law, allowing individuals and institutions to understand what the law is and how it will be applied, thus fostering a sense of fairness. When judges apply established legal principles from prior cases to current cases, they ensure that individuals in comparable situations receive analogous treatment under the law. This uniformity helps to prevent arbitrary decision-making or bias, as it bases court outcomes on established legal standards rather than the personal views or discretion of judges. As a result, this reliance on precedent contributes to a more equitable legal system, where justice is administered similarly across varying circumstances. Maintaining this consistency helps to build trust in the legal system as individuals can rely on the predictability of legal outcomes when entering legal matters, knowing that established precedents will guide judicial decisions.