Jurisprudence constante

Jurisprudence constante is a legal doctrine according to which a long series of previous decisions applying a particular rule of law is very important and may be determinative in subsequent cases. This doctrine is recognized in most civil law jurisdictions, in the civil law of Louisiana, for example.

The rule of law applied in the Jurisprudence constante directly compares with stare decisis. But the Louisiana Supreme Court notes the principal difference between the two legal doctrines: a single court decision can provide sufficient foundation for stare decisis, however, "a series of adjudicated cases, all in accord, form the basis for jurisprudence constante."

See also

• Case law
• Civil law (legal system)
• Court