A later judge dealing with a similar case must decide which precedents are binding. He or she may decide that a precedent suggested by a lawyer either:
Relevant to the case before him or her or distinguishable from the present case. Which means that the case is so different that the precedent does not apply in this particular situation.
Many countries use a codified system. However, many people believe that the common law is more practical than a codified system because it was developed from real life situations that were presented to the court.