precedent

noun

1. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

Synonym: case in point

2. (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

Synonym: case lawcommon law

3. a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

4. a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws

e.g. common law originated in the unwritten laws of England and was later applied in the United States

Synonym: common lawcase law

adj

1. preceding in time, order, or significance

1. 前例；先例
If there is a precedent for an action or event, it has happened before, and this can be regarded as an argument for doing it again.

e.g. The trial could set an important precedent for dealing with large numbers of similar cases...
这次审判能为处理大量类似案例开创重要的先例。
e.g. There are plenty of precedents in Hollywood for letting people out of contracts.
在好莱坞，允许影视人员解除合同的先例有很多。

1.

1. 前例：比较法学家很清楚,司法判决在两大法系国家中的意义是不同的,在普通法法系国家中,法律是以前例(precedent)为基础的;在民法法系中却是以制定法(statute)为基础的.

2. 前例,先例：precede 高於,优於 | precedent 前例,先例 | precept 教训,箴言