Law Dictionary


  • Legal Dictionary Search
dictum
['dik-tem]

pl: dicta [-te]


Latin, utterance, from neuter of dictus, past participle of dicere to say

: a view expressed by a judge in an opinion on a point not necessarily arising from or involved in a case or necessary for determining the rights of the parties involved
(called also obiter dictum)
(compare holding judgment precedent stare decisis)
Note: Dicta have persuasive value in making an argument, but they are not binding as precedent.

 

 

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

FindLaw Career Center

    Search for Law Jobs:

      Post a Job  |  View More Jobs
Ads by FindLaw