... precedent works in relation to the following courts; (The House of Lords; its decisions are binding on all lower courts, in the 20th century it had regarded itself as bound by its own decisions until the 1966 practice statement which allows them to depart from their previous decisions when it appears right to do so. The practice Statement did not alter the fundamental House of Lords precedent but allowed the House of Lords more flexibility in changing its mind. The House of Lords has emphasised the need for certainty, and the power to depart from their previous decisions has been used sparingly. (The Court Of Appeal; both divisions are bound by the decisions of the House Of Lords and their own previous decisions but the decisions of each division do not bind each other. In Young V Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd (1944) the court of appeal stated that the civil division is ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now