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In a common law system, precedent plays a critical role as it establishes a framework for consistently resolving disputes. When a court makes a ruling, that decision becomes part of the legal standard for future cases with similar facts or legal issues. This reliance on previous rulings ensures that similar cases are treated alike, promoting stability and predictability in the law.

The concept of stare decisis reinforces this principle, where lower courts are generally obligated to follow the rulings of higher courts in the same jurisdiction. This predictable application of the law allows individuals and lawyers to understand the likely outcomes based on past decisions, fostering a sense of justice and fairness in the legal system.

The other options explore different aspects that do not align with the fundamental purpose of precedent. For instance, while new laws may be informed by earlier decisions, precedent specifically focuses on judicial rulings rather than legislative guidelines. Similarly, filing cases without evidence would not align with the requirements of the judicial process, and the order of trial cases is determined by procedural rules, not by the concept of precedent. Thus, the correct answer highlights the essential function of precedent in shaping legal outcomes in a common law framework.