Respect for Judicial Precedent as a Limit on the Exercise of Public Power

Abstract

This article first explains where Argentina fits in the common law-civil law divide of legal families. A proper understanding of the Argentine legal system regarding precedent makes it necessary to next elaborate on the distinction between the horizontal and the vertical dimensions of stare decisis. I also examine the relevance of political interferences for compliance by other courts both in the horizontal and in the vertical dimensions just alluded.The article briefly highlights features of some Latin countries that impact negatively on the practice of precedent. I shall conclude that, those features notwithstanding, the practice of judicial precedent still constitutes a relevant stop to the abuse of public power by the political branches.