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What is Ratio Decidendi?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The Latin phrase “ratio decidendi,” often translated as “the reason for the decision,” is used in the legal community to refer to the rationale behind a court decision. Every case has one, a basis that the court used for ruling in the way that it did. Sometimes it is evident, and at other times, a court may need to explain it, as when a court is setting a precedent and therefore cannot rely on previously established rationales that formed the basis for other legal decisions.

When looking at a court decision, the ratio decidendi stands out as the legal grounds upon which the decision is meant to stand. It is legally binding, unlike comments made in relation to the case that may be relevant or interesting but are not compelling from a legal stance. A passing comment of this nature is known as an orbiter dicta. If a court case is challenged, the challenger must be able to identify the reason for the decision and show the way in which it is erroneous.

Ratio decidendi is a phrase used to refer to the reasoning behind a court decision.
Ratio decidendi is a phrase used to refer to the reasoning behind a court decision.

Sometimes, there is no clear rule in the law that would allow a judge to make a decisive ruling in a case. In these situations, judges incorporate social, moral, and political considerations when they weigh a case to arrive at a decision. In many legal systems, people can see shifts in the approach to the law in response to changing cultural norms. For example, the United States Supreme Court once believed that “separate but equal” accommodations were constitutional, but later changed its stance and argued that such accommodations were in fact a form of discrimination.

Ratio decidendi is the legal rationale behind a court decision.
Ratio decidendi is the legal rationale behind a court decision.

In important legal cases, the judge usually takes time to write an opinion that accompanies the ruling. The opinion delves into the ratio decidendi, explaining how the judge arrived at a decision in the case and providing supporting documentation in the form of other legal cases and laws, if they are available. Once published, the opinion can be used in other court cases and becomes a part of case law if it is a landmark case that sets a precedent.

It can sometimes be difficult to identify the ratio decidendi in an opinion, since judges rarely conveniently flag it. When evaluating an opinion, it may be helpful to break down the components of the opinion and to look for the compelling statements which directly speak to how the judge ruled and why the judge reached a given ruling.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MyLawQuestions researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MyLawQuestions researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ysmina

I interned with a law firm previously and one of my tasks was reading through court cases and figuring out what the ratio decidendi was and what the obiter dictum or dicta were in the case.

Let me tell you, it was no easy task! Especially in cases where there was more than one judge. Because then, there is probably more than one ratio decidendi and you have to put it together on your own from each of the judgements.

SteamLouis

So, if we are talking about a legal case, where a similar one has been ruled on before, would that first case, or precedent, become the ratio decidendi of this case?

I think that it must since ratio decidendi is not the decision, but the cause of the decision. So a judge could use a precedent case as his reason, right?

NCSUlaw

I've heard it said that ratio decidendi is essentially, the legal principle underlying the formulation of that decision or progression in the justice system.

What do you think? With the justice system constantly evolving despite it's strong foundation, is ratio decidendi enough to keep things running smoothly and fairly?

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    • Ratio decidendi is a phrase used to refer to the reasoning behind a court decision.
      By: nicolasjoseschirado
      Ratio decidendi is a phrase used to refer to the reasoning behind a court decision.
    • Ratio decidendi is the legal rationale behind a court decision.
      By: TimeHacker
      Ratio decidendi is the legal rationale behind a court decision.