ClearConcept — A-Level Revision

Specification Reference

Ratio decidendi

Standard

Plain English

Ratio decidendi

public

Real World

In R v Howe (1987), the ratio decidendi was that duress is never a defence to murder — this binding principle meant that in R v Gotts (1992) the same rule was extended to attempted murder.

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Exam Focus

Clearly separate the ratio from obiter in any case you cite — examiners reward precise identification of the binding principle.

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