The rule of precedent is the norm of legal systems that defines the normative functioning of judicial precedents. Judicial precedents are general and abstract norms originating from a judicial decision. Taking as an example the way in which the rule of precedent has been configured in Colombian constitutional law, the objective of this article is to analyze different types of judicial precedents and, in this context, to clarify the notion of ratio decidendi. The work distinguishes between judicial precedent in the broad sense that refers to the general and abstract norms of judicial origin that, by virtue of the rule of precedent, are mandatory or binding; and the judicial precedent in the strict sense that designates the ratio decidendi of judicial decisions. Then the precedent in the strict sense is analyzed, explaining the models of construction of the ratio decidendi, its configuration as a legal norm, and the elements for its identification.La regla de precedente es la norma de los sistemas jurídicos que define el funcionamiento normativo de los precedentes judiciales. Los precedentes judiciales son normas generales y abstractas originadas en una decisión judicial. Tomando como ejemplo la forma como se ha configurado la regla de precedente en el derecho constitucional colombiano, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar diferentes tipos de precedentes judiciales y, en este contexto, precisar la noción de ratio decidendi. El trabajo distingue entre precedente judicial en sentido amplio que refiere a las normas generales y abstractas de origen judicial que, en virtud de la regla de precedente, son obligatorias o vinculantes, y el precedente judicial en estricto sentido que designa a la ratio decidendi de las decisiones judiciales. Luego se analiza el precedente en estricto sentido explicando los modelos de construcción de la ratio decidendi, su configuración como norma jurídica y los elementos para su identificación.The rule of precedent is the norm of legal systems that defines the normative functioning of judicial precedents. Judicial precedents are general and abstract norms originating from a judicial decision. Taking as an example the way in which the rule of precedent has been configured in Colombian constitutional law, the objective of this article is to analyze different types of judicial precedents and, in this context, to clarify the notion of ratio decidendi. The work distinguishes between judicial precedent in the broad sense that refers to the general and abstract norms of judicial origin that, by virtue of the rule of precedent, are mandatory or binding; and the judicial precedent in the strict sense that designates the ratio decidendi of judicial decisions. Then the precedent in the strict sense is analyzed, explaining the models of construction of the ratio decidendi, its configuration as a legal norm, and the elements for its identificationThe rule of precedent is the norm of legal systems that defines the normative functioning of judicial precedents. Judicial precedents are general and abstract norms originating from a judicial decision. Taking as an example the way in which the rule of precedent has been configured in Colombian constitutional law, the objective of this article is to analyze different types of judicial precedents and, in this context, to clarify the notion of ratio decidendi. The work distinguishes between judicial precedent in the broad sense that refers to the general and abstract norms of judicial origin that, by virtue of the rule of precedent, are mandatory or binding; and the judicial precedent in the strict sense that designates the ratio decidendi of judicial decisions. Then the precedent in the strict sense is analyzed, explaining the models of construction of the ratio decidendi, its configuration as a legal norm, and the elements for its identificationThe rule of precedent is the norm of legal systems that defines the normative functioning of judicial precedents. Judicial precedents are general and abstract norms originating from a judicial decision. Taking as an example the way in which the rule of precedent has been configured in Colombian constitutional law, the objective of this article is to analyze different types of judicial precedents and, in this context, to clarify the notion of ratio decidendi. The work distinguishes between judicial precedent in the broad sense that refers to the general and abstract norms of judicial origin that, by virtue of the rule of precedent, are mandatory or binding; and the judicial precedent in the strict sense that designates the ratio decidendi of judicial decisions. Then the precedent in the strict sense is analyzed, explaining the models of construction of the ratio decidendi, its configuration as a legal norm, and the elements for its identification

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas