Stare decisis describes the binding authority of a court's decision on higher courts only.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not applicable
• D. Depends

Answer: (B)

Stare decisis means that courts follow the rulings set by higher courts in the same jurisdiction. The binding effect flows downward—from higher courts to lower courts—so lower courts must apply the decisions of the higher court when faced with similar issues. Higher courts can change or overrule their own earlier decisions, but they are not bound by the rulings of lower courts. Because the binding direction is downward, the statement that stare decisis binds a court’s decision on higher courts only is not correct. The correct interpretation is that stare decisis binds lower courts to follow higher court precedents.