The degree of aherence to strict stare decisis by the English courts cannot be measured only by their unwillingness to overrule thier own prior cases.
It is reflected more pervasively in thier reluctance to distinguish prior cases factually, or to find conflict among precedent cases, or to perceive and exploit ambiguity in the reasoning offered by a court in a prior case. A court could call itself bound by its prior decisions but then raely locate any decision found to be applicable and applicable and controlling. The English courts have not done this. The method generally followed has been affirmatively to seek out precedent and apply it. and if no cases are found squarely point, to apply the nearest ones available. The law of today is narrowly confmedlouie " result of past decisions, extended forward slowly and only within prescribed limits. New inputs policy are not left to the courts. They are the province of other branches of government.