<P> The dissent may disagree with the majority for any number of reasons: a different interpretation of the case law, use of different principles, or a different interpretation of the facts . They are written at the same time as the majority opinion, and are often used to dispute the reasoning behind the majority opinion . </P> <P> Normally, appellate courts (or panels) are staffed with an odd number of judges to avoid a tie . Sometimes when judicial positions are vacant or a judge has recused himself or herself from the case, the court may be stuck with a tie, in which case the lower court's decision will be affirmed without comment by an equally divided court . </P> <P> A majority opinion in countries which use the common law system becomes part of the body of case law . Such decisions can usually be cited as precedent by later courts . In some courts, such as the Supreme Court of the United States, the majority opinion may be broken down into numbered or lettered sections . This allows judges who write an opinion "concurring in part" or "dissenting in part" to easily identify which parts they join with the majority, and which sections they do not . </P> <P> An opinion may be released in several stages of completeness . First, a bench opinion may be handed down, with the judge or panel of judges indicating their decision and a rough explanation of the reasoning underlying it . A slip opinion may also be issued the day the decision is handed down, and is usually not typeset or fully formatted . It is not the final or most authoritative version, being subject to further revision before being replaced with a final published edition . The Supreme Court of the United States issues slip opinions with the following disclaimer: </P>

Which type of opinion becomes law in supreme court decisions