binding precedent

A precedent that a court must follow. • For example, a lower court is bound by an applicable holding of a higher court in the same jurisdiction. — Also termed authoritative precedent; binding authority. Cf. imperative authority under AUTHORITY(4). [Cases: Courts 88, 107. C.J.S. Courts §§ 139, 165, 175; Criminal Law § 1665; Trade-Marks, Trade-Names, […]