Step 1: Understanding the Doctrine of Precedent
The Doctrine of Precedent is a key principle in the Indian legal system, which states that decisions made by higher courts (especially the Supreme Court and High Courts) must be followed by lower courts when making judgments in similar cases.
Step 2: Key Feature of the Doctrine
The main idea behind this doctrine is to ensure consistency, predictability, and stability in legal rulings. When a higher court delivers a ruling, it creates a precedent, which serves as a guideline for future cases with similar facts and legal questions.
Step 3: Importance of the Doctrine
By following the decisions of higher courts, the Indian judiciary ensures that the law is applied uniformly across the country, promoting fairness and legal certainty.