Question

Ratio decidendi means

• A. a judicial decision
• B. part of the judgment which possesses authority
• C. any observation made by the court which goes beyond the requirement of the case
• D. an observation made by a judge

Hint:

Ratio decidendi = binding principle; Obiter dicta = persuasive comments.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Ratio decidendi is a Latin term in legal reasoning that means "the reason for the decision."
It refers to the legal principle or rule on which a court’s decision is founded and which is binding in future cases with similar facts.
It is distinct from obiter dicta, which are remarks or observations made by the judge that are not essential to the decision and are not binding precedent.
Option (a) “a judicial decision” is too broad—ratio decidendi is part of the reasoning, not the entire decision.
Option (c) describes obiter dicta, not ratio decidendi.
Option (d) is vague and could include non-binding comments.
Therefore, option (b) captures the precise meaning: the authoritative part of the judgment that forms binding precedent.