Abstract

PULIDO-ORTIZ, Fabio Enrique. Subjective scope of application of judicial precedents: a study in the constitutional jurisdiction in Colombia. Opin. jurid. [online]. 2018, vol.17, n.34, pp.129-149. ISSN 1692-2530.  https://doi.org/10.22395/ojum.v17n34a6.

The purpose of this paper is to explain the subjective scope of application of the precedent rule. An analysis of the normative structure of the precedent rule indicates that one of its main functions is to define the organs and procedures for the application of judicial precedents. From this analysis, it is shown that the definition of the subjective scope of application of the precedent rule (i.e. the set of organs with the competence to apply judicial precedents) depends on the definition of the structure of the jurisdiction. In this context, it is concluded that Colombian jurisdiction is constituted by a centralized and monist system in which the Constitutional Court is instituted as the closing organ of the judicial system in Colombia. Consequently, the subjective scope of the precedents of the Constitutional Court includes all organs of Colombian jurisdiction. In other words, these judicial precedents are vertical precedents for the decisions of all the courts, tribunals and judges that make up Colombia’s jurisdiction.

Keywords : Judicial precedents; Constitutional law; Theory of law; Judicial branch; Colombian constitutional jurisdiction.

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