What role does case law play in legal research?

Case law plays a crucial role in legal research by interpreting statutes and providing a precedential basis for legal arguments and decisions. When courts issue rulings, those decisions interpret the laws, clarify their applications, and establish legal principles that must be followed in future cases. This doctrine of precedent—also known as stare decisis—means that lower courts are generally required to follow the interpretations established by higher courts within the same jurisdiction.

This function of case law is vital because it allows for consistency and predictability in legal proceedings. Legal researchers and practitioners rely on case law to understand how courts have ruled on similar issues, which helps to shape their legal strategies and arguments.

In contrast, while secondary authorities can provide useful commentary and context, they do not hold the same legal weight as case law when it comes to applying or interpreting statutes. Additionally, case law does not replace statutory analysis; rather, it complements it by providing the context in which statutes are applied. Lastly, while some case law may indeed offer commentary on legal theories, its primary role is not to serve as a platform for theoretical discussion but rather to interpret and enforce existing laws. Thus, the interpretation and precedential value of case law make it indispensable in legal research.