(1)首创判例；开创性判例
指首次明确地确立一项重要的法律规则或法律原则，并在以后经常且一贯得到遵守的司法判例。

(2)首要判例
指在解决某一特定法律问题方面最为重要的司法判例。

(3)指导性判例
指被援引作为解决某一争议问题的权威的判例，此义项为松散用法，也称「ruling case」。

• In ambiguis casibus semper praesumitur pro rege.
• In ambiguis orationibus maxime sententia spectanda est ejus qui eas protulisset.
• in ambiguo
• In ambiguo sermone non utrumque dicimus sed id duntaxat quod volumus.
• in amity
• in a motor vehicle
• in and on the body
• in an elevator
• In Anglia non est interregnum.
• in an intoxicated condition
• in another state
• in any degree under the influence of intoxicating liquor
• in aperta luce
• in apicibus juris
• in a public conveyance
• in arbitrio judicis
• in arbitrium alieno
• in arbitrium judicis
• in arcta et salva custodia
• in articulo
• in articulo mortis
• ination by Congress
• In atrocioribus delictis punitur affectus licet non sequatur effectus.
• inattentive peril
• in auditu