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Precedent vs Justification - What's the difference?

precedent | justification |

As nouns the difference between precedent and justification

is that precedent is an act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future while justification is a reason, explanation, or excuse which provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.

As an adjective precedent

is happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.

As a verb precedent

is to provide precedents for.

precedent

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Noun

(en noun)
  • An act in the past which may be used as an example to help decide the outcome of similar instances in the future.
  • * Hooker
  • Examples for cases can but direct as precedents only.
  • (legal) A decided case which is cited or used as an example to justify a judgment in a subsequent case.
  • (obsolete, with definite article) The aforementioned (thing).
  • *, New York 2001, p.74:
  • A third argument may be derived from the precedent .
  • The previous version.
  • (obsolete) A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Derived terms

    * binding precedent * declaratory precedent * original precedent * persuasive precedent * precedented * precedential * precedent-setting * precedent sub silentio * unprecedented

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Happening or taking place earlier in time; previous or preceding.
  • *, III.2.1.i:
  • In the precedent section mention was made, amongst other pleasant objects, of this comeliness and beauty which proceeds from women […].

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (legal) To provide precedents for.
  • (legal) To be a precedent for.
  • See also

    * stare decisis ----

    justification

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reason, explanation, or excuse which provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
  • (typography) The alignment of text to the left margin (left justification), the right margin (right justification), or both margins (full justification).
  • Antonyms

    * conviction * condemnation