In common law, a binding precedent is a legal principle or rule established in a prior case that must be followed by a court when deciding a subsequent case with similar facts or legal issues. It is obligatory for lower courts to adhere to decisions made by higher courts within the same jurisdiction.
In contrast, a persuasive precedent is a decision from another court that is not binding but may influence a court's judgment. It can come from courts of equal or lower rank, courts in other jurisdictions, or even scholarly writings. While not mandatory, it is considered when it offers compelling reasoning or guidance on an unresolved legal issue