Legal Definitions - original precedent

Definition: Original precedent refers to the creation of a new legal rule by a court while administering justice. It is a decided case that serves as a basis for determining later cases that involve similar facts or issues.

Example: In the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court of the United States created an original precedent by ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision served as a basis for later cases that challenged segregation in other areas of society, such as housing and employment.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Supreme Court created an original precedent by recognizing and applying a new legal rule while administering justice. The ruling in Brown v. Board of Education established a new legal principle that segregation was unconstitutional, which was then applied to other cases involving similar issues. This original precedent became a basis for future legal decisions and helped shape the course of civil rights in the United States.