What is the principle of stare decisis?

The principle of stare decisis is fundamentally about the legal doctrine that mandates courts to adhere to precedents established in previous cases when making their rulings. This principle promotes stability and predictability within the law by ensuring that similar cases are decided in a consistent manner, thereby providing a reliable framework for the interpretation of laws.

When a court faces a case that has similarities to a previously adjudicated case, it will generally follow the legal rulings and interpretations from that earlier case. This reliance on established precedents helps to maintain fairness and integrity in the judicial process, as it discourages arbitrary changes in legal decisions and ensures that individuals can have an understanding of their rights and obligations under the law.

The other options do not align with the essence of stare decisis. Creating new laws for every case implies a lack of stability and reliance on prior judgments, while encouraging the repeal of outdated laws and reviewing laws every five years suggest active changes and reassessments of the law, which is contrary to the principle of maintaining established judicial decisions.