案例指导制度的域外经验

英美法判例制度主要有两个作用：一是参考作用，一是约束作用。参考作用，是指如果法院认为一个判例的判决原则或法律理念是正确的，法官在审判时可以适用这个案例。而约束作用，是指如果法院认为一个判例是错误的，但按照法律的规定，该判例对法院有约束力，那么，法院即使认为这个判例是错误的，仍要遵从这个案例。

Foreign experience in development of the system of precedents

The system of precedents under the Anglo-American law system is of two major functions - the function of reference and the function of binding force. As far as the funclion of reference is concerned, wherea court considers the sentencing principle or legal idea in the judgment of a case as a precedent to be rightful, its judges can follow this precedent in adjudication. As far as the function of binding force is concerned, where a court considers a precedent to be wrongful, but it is of binding force to the court in accordance with law, the court still has to follow this precedent even if it believes that the precedent is erroneous.