判例(はんれい)

はんれい
noun
judicial precedent; case law
legallaw
1. judicial precedent; case law
A past court decision, especially of a higher court, that serves as an example or authority for deciding later cases with similar facts. Collectively, the body of such decisions.
過去(かこ)の判例(はんれい)を調(しら)べる。
to research past precedents.
この事件(じけん)には参考(さんこう)になる判例(はんれい)がない。
There is no precedent that serves as a reference for this case.
最高裁(さいこうさい)の判例(はんれい)は、その後(ご)の下級審(かきゅうしん)の判断(はんだん)に大(おお)きな影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)える。
Supreme Court precedents have a great influence on the decisions of lower courts thereafter.

Composed of 判(はん) (judgment) + 例(れい) (example). Refers to prior court decisions used as a guide for later cases; Supreme Court (最高裁(さいこうさい)) precedents carry particular weight.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 前例(ぜんれい): a precedent — the everyday word for any prior example, not limited to court decisions
  • 判決(はんけつ): a (court) judgment — a single ruling; 判例(はんれい) is a judgment treated as an authority for later cases

Related Words

Compare: 前例(ぜんれい) (a precedent)
Compare: 判決(はんけつ) (a (court) judgment)
general
Added 2026.7.24 21:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
30000/30088_hanrei