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In legal terms, a 'precedent' is characterized as an established rule followed by courts when making decisions in similar cases. This concept is foundational to the common law system, where past judicial decisions are utilized to help ensure consistency and predictability in the law. When courts refer to precedents, they adhere to the doctrine of stare decisis, which means that they should follow the principles set forth in earlier rulings unless there is a compelling reason to deviate from them.

This helps in maintaining a coherent legal system, as similar facts should lead to similar outcomes, allowing individuals and legal practitioners to anticipate the likely rulings in future cases based on prior judgments. Precedents can evolve over time but serve as critical legal standards that guide the decisions of judges and influence the behavior of individuals and entities within the jurisdiction.

In contrast, other options are less closely aligned with the concept of a precedent. For instance, while recommendations for future conduct or forms of legal advice may influence behavior, they do not carry the same binding authority as established court rules. Similarly, while guides for juries may provide context or assistance in understanding legal principles, they do not represent the same level of judicial authority as precedents established in court rulings.