PromptIn a common law system, a trial judge in the High Court is confronted with a binding precedent from the Supreme Court that is directly on point. What is the judge's obligation under the doctrine of stare decisis?
Click to flip AnswerThe High Court judge must follow the Supreme Court's decision, as the doctrine of stare decisis requires lower courts to abide by the ratio decidendi of higher courts. The judge cannot distinguish the case unless there is a relevant difference in facts. Failure to follow may be grounds for appeal.
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