Divide into two groups (proponents and opponents of case law). Read about the advantages and disadvantages of judicial precedent and discuss them

Advantages

• Certainty - It creates certainty in the law and means solicitors and barristers can advise their clients on the probable outcome of their case.
• Fairness - Similar cases are treated in a similar way, this is in the interests of justice and fairness.
• Time Saving - It saves court time as for most situations there is already an existing solution.
• Law Development - it allows the law to develop alongside society R v R (1991) - this case overturned a centuries old legal principle that a man could not rape his wife.

Disadvantages

• Rigidity - The system is too rigid and does not allow the law to develop enough.
• I njustice - The strict rules of judicial precedent can create injustice in individual cases
• Slow Development - The law is slow to develop under the system of judicial precedent. The law cannot be changed until a case on a particular point of law comes before one of the higher appellate courts.
• Confusion - Hundreds of cases are reported each year, making it hard to find the relevant precedent which should be followed.
• Complexity - The law is too complex with thousands of fine distinctions.

IV WRITING

a) Describe the process of making new law in your country. What are the strengths and the weaknesses of the process?

B) Explain to a student from a different jurisdiction how cases are used and recorded in your legal system.