What does "ratio decidendi" mean?

The legal principle or rationale on which a judicial decision is based.

Ratio decidendi

Q: What is a synonym for "ratio decidendi"?

Common synonyms include: binding rule, case principle, core justification, core rule, holding, legal principle.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
The legal principle or rationale on which a judicial decision is based.

Synonyms

All synonyms

binding rule case principle core justification core rule holding legal principle

Antonyms

All antonyms

nonbinding remark nonessential justification obiter dictum superficial justification

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin ratiō dēcidendī, from ratiō (“reckoning, method, reasoning”) + dēcidendī, genitive singular of dēcidendus, gerund of dēcidere (“to settle”).

Next best steps

Browse writing guides Explore topic clusters