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Why research cases?
Under the doctrine of stare decisis ("to stand by things decided") or precedent, previously decided cases serve as a model for resolution of future disputes involving similar legal principles or fact patterns.
Following the doctrine of stare decisis, legal researchers cite to cases in support of their arguments in order to convince the court that the issues or facts presented in their cases should be decided in the same way as the earlier cases, or to argue that the facts or issues presented in their cases are sufficiently different to warrant different treatment.