Principle

CIVIL PROCEDURE — Judgments and Orders — Obiter Dictum Not Binding in Subsequent Proceedings

Area of law
CIVIL PROCEDURE
Court
Supreme Court

Only the reasoning necessary to decide the case (ratio) is binding. Remarks on issues not essential to the decision are obiter and not binding. The principle applies to judicial precedent. The rule prevents over-reliance on incidental statements. Courts should identify the true ratio by examining…

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