Editorial
Stare decisisstare decisis et non quieta movere
Also: binding precedent
Definition
The doctrine that a court should follow the reasoning of earlier decisions of courts of equal or higher standing on materially similar facts, so that like cases are decided alike.
In plain English: Courts follow what earlier courts decided in similar cases, so the law stays predictable.
A common law definition. The term may mean something different, or nothing at all, in another legal system.
Usage
Civil law systems have no formal doctrine of binding precedent, though consistent case law (jurisprudence constante) carries great weight in practice.