obiter dictum

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪktəm/

noun (plural obiter dicta /ˈdɪktə/)

Law
  • a judge’s expression of opinion uttered in court or in a written judgement, but not essential to the decision and therefore not legally binding as a precedent.
  • an incidental remark.

Origin:

Latin obiter 'in passing' + dictum 'something that is said'