LEGAL WORD
Obiter dictum
Latin phrase · Jurisprudence
Obiter dictum
- Type: Latin phrase
- Area of law: Jurisprudence
1 What it means
A remark made by the judge in passing that was not necessary to decide the case. It can persuade but does not bind later courts.
2 Use it in a sentence
The observation on future cases was only obiter dictum, so the trial court was not bound by it.
3 Make it stick
Write your own sentence using Obiter dictum about a case or topic you are studying this week, then check it against the meaning above.
4 Related words
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