Legal Dictionary

Persuasive Authority

Persuasive authority refers to legal sources that are not binding on a court or tribunal, but can be used to support or influence their decisionmaking process. These sources may include legal opinions, treatises, law review articles, and decisions from other jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between persuasive authority and binding authority?

Persuasive authority differs from binding authority in that it does not have the same level of legal force. While binding authority must be followed by a court or tribunal, persuasive authority can be considered and used as guidance, but is not mandatory.

How can I determine if a legal source is persuasive authority?

The determination of whether a legal source is persuasive authority depends on various factors, such as the jurisdiction, the relevance of the source to the legal issue at hand, and the reasoning and analysis provided in the source. It is important to assess the credibility and persuasiveness of the source in relation to the specific legal context.
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