The Ultimate Legal Dictionary
PracticePanther compiled a list of the legal terms and definitions every
attorney, paralegal, and law student needs to know when running a law firm.
Persuasive Authority
DEFINITION
In reaching a legal decision a judge may base her opinion on both persuasive authority or mandatory authority. Persuasive authority consists of written opinions by lower courts or courts of other jurisdictions that a judge is not obligated to follow but which may help inform the judge’s decision. By contrast, binding authority consists of statements in the opinions of higher courts that a judge is obligated to follow.
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