Precedents are previous legal decisions or rulings that serve as examples for future cases. In the legal system, judges often refer to precedents to ensure consistency and fairness in their judgments. When a court makes a ruling, it can establish a standard that other courts may follow in similar situations. In many legal systems, particularly in common law countries, precedents are crucial for guiding the interpretation of laws. For instance, if a Supreme Court decision addresses a specific issue, lower courts are likely to apply that ruling in future cases involving similar facts or legal questions. This helps maintain stability in the law.