December 26, 2025
London Street Tramways Co Ltd v London County Council [1898] UKHL 1
The House of Lords established that its own previous decisions on points of law are binding and conclusive, preventing the same legal question from being re-argued. This case established the doctrine of stare decisis at the highest appellate level, ensuring finality in litigation. Facts The London Tramways Company Limited appealed against the London County Council. During the appeal, counsel candidly raised the existence of a prior House of Lords decision that was conclusive on the point at issue. The question arose whether the House of Lords was bound by its own previous decisions or whether it could re-hear and potentially
