Obiter Dictum
/ˈoʊbɪtər ˈdɪktəm/
Definitions
- (n.) A remark made by a judge in a legal opinion that is incidental and not essential to the decision, thus not legally binding as precedent.
The judge's reasoning included an obiter dictum that was interesting but not authoritative.
Forms
- obiter dicta
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Obiter dicta often provide persuasive guidance but are distinguished from the binding ratio decidendi of a case.
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