Quintilian Institutio Oratoria 5.2.1

[1] As regards decisions in previous courts, these fall under three heads. First, we have matters on which judgment has been given at some time or other in cases of a similar nature: these are, however, more correctly termed precedents, as for instance where a father's will has been annulled or confirmed in opposition to his sons. Secondly, there are judgments concerned with the case itself; it is from these that the name praeiudicium is derived: as examples I may cite those passed against Oppianicus ¹ or by the senate against Milo. ² Thirdly, there are judgments passed on the actual case, as for example in cases where the accused has been deported, ³ or where renewed application is made for the recognition of an individual as a free man, ⁴ or in portions of cases tried in the centumviral court which come before two different panels of judges. ⁵