Jurisprudence constante is a legal doctrine in the civil law of Louisiana: a long series of previous decisions applying a particular rule of law carries great weight and may be determinative in subsequent cases. The rule of law applied in the Jurisprudence constante directly compares with stare decisis. Stare decisis (pronounced in English as [stare dəsajsɪs]) is a Latin term (to stand by things decided) used in common law to express the notion that prior court decisions must be recognized as precedents, according to case law. ...