What is it called when an attorney references another court's decision during a trial?

The situation described involves an attorney referencing a previous court's decision, which is best understood within the context of "Common Law." Common law refers to law that is derived from judicial decisions and court rulings rather than from statutes or legislative enactments. When an attorney cites a prior decision, they are using the principles established in earlier cases to support arguments, demonstrating how similar issues have been handled in the past. This practice is foundational in common law systems, where the body of case law is built upon previous judicial rulings, thereby influencing the current case being tried.

The other terms relate to legal principles but do not specifically define the act of referencing previous court decisions. Precedent law refers more broadly to how past decisions influence current cases, while stare decisis is the doctrine that compels courts to follow precedent. Statutory interpretation deals with how laws, written by legislative bodies, are understood and applied, which is distinct from referencing case law.