What is a landmark case?

A landmark case is defined as a precedent-setting court decision that significantly impacts the interpretation of laws and influences subsequent legal proceedings. These cases often involve important legal principles, rights, or issues of public policy, serving as foundational rulings that establish new legal standards or clarify existing ones. Landmark cases can lead to changes in legislation or shift social norms, thereby shaping the legal landscape for future cases.

For instance, cases like Brown v. Board of Education have fundamentally changed laws regarding segregation, and their outcomes are widely cited in subsequent legal decisions. The significance of a landmark case lies in its ability to set a precedent, which judges and legal professionals rely on when making decisions on similar issues in the future, fostering consistency and predictability in the law.