Ennakkopäätösten

Ennakkopäätökset, meaning precedents or prior decisions, are judgments rendered by courts that serve as guiding principles for future cases. In many legal systems, particularly those with a common law tradition, these decisions hold significant weight and influence how similar cases are decided. The principle of stare decisis, a Latin term meaning "to stand by things decided," is fundamental to the concept of precedent. This principle dictates that courts should follow the rulings of previous decisions made by higher courts within the same jurisdiction.

The purpose of precedent is to ensure consistency, predictability, and fairness in the application of the law. By adhering to established rulings, courts can avoid arbitrary judgments and provide a stable framework for legal interpretation. When a court faces a case with facts and legal issues similar to those previously decided, it will typically follow the precedent set by the earlier decision. However, precedents are not immutable. Higher courts can overrule previous decisions, and lower courts can distinguish a current case from a precedent if the facts or legal issues are sufficiently different. The development and evolution of legal principles are thus a continuous process, shaped by both the adherence to and the occasional modification or overruling of prior judgments.