Which statement best completes this sentence: In the context of constitutional courts, the term used to describe adherence to past decisions is known as?

Which statement best completes this sentence: In the context of constitutional courts, the term used to describe adherence to past decisions is known as?

• A. Judicial activism
• B. Stare decisis
• C. Judicial review
• D. Life tenure

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is following precedent. In constitutional courts, stare decisis means “to stand by things decided,” and it guides judges to base new rulings on prior interpretations of the law. This keeps the constitutional interpretation stable and predictable, allowing people and governments to rely on established rulings. It isn’t about judges pushing policy (that would be judicial activism), nor about the power to declare laws unconstitutional (that’s judicial review), nor about how long judges serve (life tenure).

The main idea here is following precedent. In constitutional courts, stare decisis means “to stand by things decided,” and it guides judges to base new rulings on prior interpretations of the law. This keeps the constitutional interpretation stable and predictable, allowing people and governments to rely on established rulings. It isn’t about judges pushing policy (that would be judicial activism), nor about the power to declare laws unconstitutional (that’s judicial review), nor about how long judges serve (life tenure).