leading case

Noun

(law) A reported decision which has come to be regarded as settling the law of the question involved.

Japanese Meaning

先例判決：その問題に関する法理を確定させる効果を持つ、注目される報告された判決 / 基準判例：後の判決において判断の参考となる重要な判例

The Supreme Court's ruling in Smith v. Jones quickly became the leading case on freedom of expression.

スミス対ジョーンズ事件における最高裁の判決は、表現の自由に関する画期的な判例となった。

Sense（1）

(law) A reported decision which has come to be regarded as settling the law of the question involved.

It is remarkable , that in the leading case cited as the foundation of the whole doctrine

leading cases

（ plural ）