Obiter dictum

Obiter dictum (usually used in the plural, obiter dicta) is a Latin phrase meaning "other things said",^[1] that is, a remark in a legal opinion that is "said in passing" by any judge or arbitrator. It is a concept derived from English common law, whereby a judgment comprises only two elements: ratio decidendi and obiter dicta. For the purposes of judicial precedent, ratio decidendi is binding, whereas obiter dicta are persuasive only.^[2]^[3]

^ Black's Law Dictionary, p. 967 (5th ed. 1979).
^ Cite error: The named reference Warren was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Dupree was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[black-1] Black's Law Dictionary, p. 967 (5th ed. 1979).

[Warren-2] Cite error: The named reference Warren was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Dupree-3] Cite error: The named reference Dupree was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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