Secondary authority refers to statements about the law from unofficial commentators without the authority to establish legal rules in the relevant jurisdiction. Secondary authorities can provide valuable insights and guidance on legal issues, helping to clarify the application and implications of primary law. Common examples include law review articles and treatises. Although secondary authority may be persuasive, it is never mandatory.
See primary authority (contrast).
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]