CIMA BA4 · Chapter 9 · Question 9 of 10
Under English law, which of the following statements about the hierarchy of the courts and precedent is correct?
Test yourself: pick an answer
Reveal answer & explanation
Correct answer: B) Decisions of the Supreme Court bind all lower courts, but the Supreme Court may depart from its own previous decisions where it appears right to do so
Explanation
The Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords) is at the top of the domestic hierarchy and binds all lower courts. Since the 1966 Practice Statement it may depart from its previous decisions when it appears right to do so. Lower courts do not bind higher ones, and magistrates' courts do not create binding precedent.
More General principles of law: legal systems and sources of law MCQs
- Q1Under English law, a business sues a supplier for failing to deliver goods as agreed in their contract. Which statement correctly…
- Q2In a civil case under English law, what is the standard of proof?
- Q3Under English law, which part of a judgment creates a binding precedent for lower courts?
- Q4Which of the following is an example of delegated (secondary) legislation in the UK?
- Q5A judge interprets a statute by looking at what problem the Act was intended to remedy and interpreting it to address that problem. Which…