obiter dicta definition
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Obiter dictum (more usually used in the plural, obiter dicta) is Latin for a word said by the way, that is, a remark in a judgment that is said in passing. It is a concept derived from English common law, whereby a judgment comprises only two elements: ratio decidendi and obiter dicta. For the purposes of judicial precedent, ratio decidendi is binding, whereas obiter dicta are persuasive only.