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NeCede's

Maxim 8.10.1

Stand by decisions and do not disturb settled matters.

Stare decisis et non quieta movere.

Source: Johnson v. Western Union Tele. Co. (N.C.) 57 S.E. 122, 124; Co. Litt.; Broom, Max. Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable

Explanation

Stability in the law is essential to liberty — when courts reverse settled principles on every new occasion, no man can know his rights and no contract is secure.

Where this applies

  • A court is considering overturning a 100-year-old legal principle that everyone has relied on.
  • Changing settled law causes disruption — people arranged their affairs based on the old rule.

Topics

Precedent

Legal domains

interpretationprocedural

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 8.10.1 — Stand by decisions and do not disturb settled matters. — Johnson v. Western Union Tele. Co. (N.C.) 57 S.E. 122, 124; Co. Litt.; Broom, Max. (Stare decisis et non quieta movere.)

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