What does "stare decisis" refer to in legal contexts?

"Stare decisis" is a Latin term that translates to "to stand by things decided." In legal contexts, it refers to the doctrine whereby courts are obligated to respect the precedents established by previous decisions. This principle ensures consistency and predictability in the law, as lower courts are required to follow the legal rulings of higher courts within the same jurisdiction when dealing with similar cases.

This adherence to precedent allows for a more stable legal framework, providing individuals and entities with a reliable understanding of legal outcomes based on established rulings. In this way, "stare decisis" fosters fairness and uniformity in the application of the law, reducing the risk of arbitrarily different outcomes in similar cases.

The other options do not encapsulate the essence of "stare decisis." While the idea of judicial restraint may relate to how courts may avoid overstepping their bounds, it does not specifically define the practice of following precedents. Judicial activism refers to a more interventionist approach where judges may interpret laws expansively, often leading to new legal principles rather than adhering strictly to established precedents. Evaluating evidence is a different aspect of judicial procedure and does not pertain to the concept of following previous court rulings.