Which doctrine is concerned with the adherence to previous court decisions?

Stare Decisis is the doctrine that highlights the legal principle whereby courts are obligated to respect the precedents established by prior decisions. This means that once a court has settled a legal issue, future cases that involve the same issue are generally expected to follow that decision, ensuring consistency and predictability in the law. This adherence to previous court rulings promotes stability in legal interpretations and helps judges avoid arbitrary decisions, as they are guided by the legal framework established by earlier judgments.

In contrast, Res Judicata focuses on the finality of judgments in civil cases, meaning that once a case has been decided, the same issue cannot be litigated again between the same parties. Lex Loci refers to the law of the place where a legal action occurs, which is relevant in matters involving jurisdiction or conflict of laws but does not pertain directly to the adherence of court decisions. Precedent Law is not an established legal term; rather, it refers informally to the concept of using prior decisions as guides for future cases.

In essence, Stare Decisis is fundamental to the operation of a common law system, where the continuity of legal principles is crucial for maintaining order and fairness in the judicial process.