The effect a past judicial decision produces over the legal system is a question of importance not only for public law but for law in general. Determining whether a past decision should bind or persuade future courts is a political rather than a legal choice: nothing in law’s nature requires a specific option. In this paper I identify the values the binding model of precedents seeks to uphold: inter alia, to protect legitimate expectations, equality before the law and stability to the legal system. I argue that though these are sound values, the binding model entails a means (stare decisis) disproportionate to its ends. It is disproportionate because it places a heavy burden on judges (ie. to adjudicate & give law, which are conceptually different activities, and I articulate why). This, in turn, may conflict with two fundamental values: the adjudicatory independence of judges and the principle of separation of powers. I argue why the persuasive model is a bettter solution

Our 2020 Annual Conference was scheduled to be held at the University of Wrocław in Poland on July 9-11, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our next Annual Conference will take place from July 8-10, 2021. The conference, "ICON•S Mundo", will be held online. Details regarding the organization of the 2021 Conference will follow soon.
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