PRAEJŪDĬCĬUM is used both in the sense of a precedent, in which case
it is rather _exemplum_ than _praejudicium_ (_res ex paribus causis
judicatae_); and also in the sense of a preliminary inquiry and
determination about something which belongs to the matter in dispute
(_judiciis ad ipsam causam pertinentibus_), from whence also comes
the name Praejudicium.