Stare decisis

For example:
Stare decisis is a Latin legal term, literally meaning “to stand by things decided.” It is a term used in common law systems to express the notion that prior court decisions must be recognised as precedent. In other words, lower courts are bound in theory by the precedent set forth by a higher court within its jurisdiction. Stare decisis is not, however, a doctrine used in most civil law systems, primarily because it violates the principle that only the legislature may make law.

“The appellate court ruling cannot be overruled without good reason, and the district court finds no justification here to depart from our usual rule of stare decisis.”