What is required for a court opinion to be considered mandatory authority?

For a court opinion to be classified as mandatory authority, it must be on point and originate from a higher court within the same jurisdiction. This means that the ruling directly addresses the legal issues at hand and provides binding precedent that lower courts are obligated to follow. This principle is essential in ensuring consistency and reliability in the application of the law.

The requirement for being "on point" indicates that the case must directly relate to the specific legal question being considered, and being from a higher court underscores the hierarchical structure of judicial authority—lower courts are bound to adhere to the interpretations and decisions of higher courts to maintain a cohesive legal framework.

Furthermore, the other options present definitions or requirements that do not meet the criteria for mandatory authority. For example, being well-known among legal practitioners or being a decision from the Supreme Court may contribute to its significance but do not fulfill the essential criterion of jurisdictional hierarchy and relevance to the case at hand.