Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dicta

19 October 2022

A judgement contains several elements. There will always be material fact findings, statements of legal principles, and decisions based on Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dicta. As a law student, you will often across these terms in the caselaw’s judgement. The law tutor (Law tuition in London) has extensive knowledge in this are of law. It is important to know the difference between the two terms.
Difference between Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dicta

1. Ratio Decidendi may be defined as a legal rule applied and enforced by the court, or as the rule regarded as governing the case. An Obiter Dicta, on the other hand, is a statement made by a judge during the course of his ruling that may not be directly related to the issues before him.
2. The Ratio Decidendi has binding authority whereas Obiter Dicta lacks binding power.
3. Ratio Decidendi is a rule of law that the judge expressly or implicitly treats as a necessary step in reaching the conclusion. An Obiter Dicta is a rule of law stand taken by a judge that was not explicitly or implicitly treated as a necessary step in reaching a conclusion.

Contact the highly qualified law tutor or Law tuition in London today to sharpen your knowledge in this area.