<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> A dissenting opinion (or dissent) is an opinion in a legal case in certain legal systems written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment . When not necessarily referring to a legal decision, this can also be referred to as a minority report . </P> <P> Dissenting opinions are normally written at the same time as the majority opinion and any concurring opinions, and are also delivered and published at the same time . A dissenting opinion does not create binding precedent nor does it become a part of case law . However, they can sometimes be cited as a form of persuasive authority in subsequent cases when arguing that the court's holding should be limited or overturned . In some cases, a previous dissent is used to spur a change in the law, and a later case may result in a majority opinion adopting a particular rule of law formerly advocated in dissent . As with concurring opinions, the difference in opinion between dissents and majority opinions can often illuminate the precise holding of the majority opinion . </P> <P> The dissent may disagree with the majority for any number of reasons: a different interpretation of the existing case law, the application of different principles, or a different interpretation of the facts . Many legal systems do not provide for a dissenting opinion and provide the decision without any information regarding the discussion between judges or its outcome . </P>

When does a justice write a dissenting opinion