Which term describes the legal principle that courts should follow previous rulings?

The term that describes the legal principle that courts should follow previous rulings is "stare decisis." This Latin phrase translates to "to stand by things decided," and it is a foundational concept in the U.S. legal system. Under stare decisis, courts are obligated to respect and adhere to the precedents set by previous court decisions when making rulings in similar cases. This principle promotes consistency, predictability, and stability in the law, as it ensures that similar cases will be treated alike unless there is a compelling reason to depart from established precedent.

Stare decisis applies not only to courts of the same level but also significantly influences lower courts regarding the decisions made by higher courts. This doctrine allows the judicial system to function more smoothly, as individuals and entities can have confidence in the law's application and outcomes based on earlier rulings.

In relation to the other choices, "precedent" refers to the previous court rulings themselves that are used as a guide for future cases, while "jurisdiction" pertains to the authority of a court to hear and decide a case. "Intercession" isn't a recognized legal term related to this principle. Thus, stare decisis is the correct identification of the legal principle guiding courts to follow past