What is a major characteristic of a binding legal precedent?

A binding legal precedent is fundamentally defined by its authority within the legal system. The key characteristic is that it must be followed by lower courts in similar cases, establishing a uniform interpretation of the law and promoting consistency in legal decision-making. This principle is rooted in the doctrine of stare decisis, which encourages courts to look to established rulings when resolving new cases that share similar facts or legal issues. By adhering to these precedents, lower courts ensure that legal interpretations do not waver widely, providing predictability and stability in the law for both individuals and legal practitioners.

The other options do not encapsulate the primary function of binding legal precedent. While future legislation may modify or override precedents, the nature of precedent itself necessitates adherence by lower courts, thus highlighting the importance of option B as the correct answer.