JP Pros and Cons

• ADVANTAGES

  1. Flexibility
  2. Responsive
  3. Certainty
  4. Allows for creativity
• DISADVANTAGES

  1. Uncertainty
  2. Complex
  3. Rigid
  4. Disrespects Separation of Powers
• ADVANTAGE

  P : flexibility

  E : precedents can be avoided

  E : Shivpuri overruling Anderton v Ryan

  L : avoids wrong decisions
• DISADVANTAGE

  P : uncertainty

  E : many ways to avoid precedent

  E : Balfour and Merritt, distinguishing

  L : Harder for lawyers to prepare clients cases
• ADVANTAGE

  P : Certainty

  E : Stare decisis

  E : Jones v SoSSS

  L : easier for judges to apply the law
• DISADVANTAGE

  P : Rigidity

  E : same decisions always made

  E: Jones v SoSSS

  L : law not changed quickly
• ADVANTAGE

  P : Responsive

  E : very broad principles

  E : R v R

  L : Law reflects societal view
• DISADVANTAGE

  P : Complex

  E : 500,000 precedents exist

  E : ratio in Re J mistaken for obiter

  L : Defeats purpose of precedent
• ADVANTAGE

  P : Judicial Creativity

  E : Many ways to avoid precedent

  E : Donoghue v Stevenson, negligence created

  L : Saves parliament time
• DISADVANTAGE

  P : Against Separation of Powers

  E : Judiciary only meant to apply the law.

  E : Donoghue v Stevenson

  L : Judges not democratically elected