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Understanding The Role Of Stare Decisis In California Courts Consistency is one of the most important values of our judicial system. Without steady, reliable, and (reasonably) predictable decisions, the courts would be in disarray. The doctrine of stare decisis is one method of ensuring this value is upheld. Stare decisis is a legal principle that requires courts to adhere to precedent in rendering their decisions. When a court is called upon to resolve a legal dispute, it should be bound by similarly decided cases. In some jurisdictions, this rule applies horizontally (applying decisions of the same court); California applies vertical stare decisis (applying decisions from higher courts). The concept of stare decisis was clarified in a California Supreme Court case, Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court. Here, Gusdorff Law examines a few of the lessons learned from that decision. Stare Decisis in the California Courts The seminal application of stare decisis was outlined in a California Supreme Court decision, Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court. The Court discussed a case from the superior court in Santa Clara County which disregarded a Court of Appeal decision. A lower municipal court had correctly concluded it was bound by the Court of Appeal decision (known as Kroiss). But the superior court’s appellate division refused to apply Kroiss. Although recognizing that Kroiss was on point, the court decided nonetheless that it was improperly decided. But t...