Judicial precedents are legal principles established by the decisions of courts in previous cases. When a court makes a ruling, that decision can serve as a guide for future cases with similar circumstances. This practice helps ensure consistency and predictability in the law, as lower courts are generally expected to follow the precedents set by higher courts. In many legal systems, particularly those following the common law tradition, precedents play a crucial role in shaping the law. Judges analyze past rulings to determine how to apply the law in new cases, which helps maintain stability and fairness in the judicial process.