Lesson 4 - Chapter 5: Case Law

The lecture focuses on understanding case law and the doctrine of precedent, emphasizing how legal principles are derived from court judgments. It distinguishes between binding and persuasive precedents, explaining the "Stare Decisis" doctrine, which dictates when courts must follow past decisions. The lecture uses the case of Yuen Set On to illustrate how conflicting precedents are resolved, highlighting the importance of House of Lords decisions. It covers vertical and horizontal Stare Decisis, detailing how lower courts must adhere to higher court rulings, while courts at the same level have more discretion. The lecture also explains legal jargons such as "per inquirium" and "ratio," and it underscores the need for lawyers to research and cite relevant cases to support their arguments.