(Redirected from Dicta)In common law legal terminology a 'dictum' (plural 'dicta') is any statement that forms a part of the
judgment of a court, in particular a court whose decisions have value as
precedent under the doctrine of
stare decisis.
Conceptually, dicta are divided into two types.
Ratio decidendi are those which form a part of the reason for the decision, and are binding as precedent.
Obiter dicta are those which are not binding, but are merely editorializing, or explanatory. The word ''dicta'' standing alone is often used as a synonym for ''obiter dicta'', although this usage is not technically correct.
See also
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ratio decidendi
★
obiter dictum