Precedent in the Decision-Making Process. Point of Legal Theory and Judicial Practice

Abstract

This publication encompasses the presentation of precedent as a legal category in the context of practical (judicial) approach and in the light of the theory of law. After introducing the term “precedent”, which is both universal and relevant to the codified law order, the question of distinguishing its particular kinds is described, which appears in the Polish science of law, mainly in the theory and philosophy of law. In the practical part, precedent is treated as a part of judicial practice, which in case of the codified law order constitutes a qualified form of applying a prior judicial decision. The most significant features of this practice are covered within the framework of the legal reasoning (with regard to validation and interpretation), which occurs during the decisional process, as well as the quality of justification of the judicial decision as regards law enforcement.

Keywords

• precedens
• polska nauka prawa
• praktyka sądowa
• porządek prawa stanowionego