precedent

Adjective

• preceding in time, order, or significance

Noun

• a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

• a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws
  • common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States
    

• (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

• an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  common law , case law , case in point