Case law ("la jurisprudence") is not binding and is not an official source of law, although it has been "de facto" highly influential.56 French courts have recognized their role in gradually shaping the law through judicial decisions, and the fact that they develop judicial doctrine, especially through "jurisprudence constante" (a consistent set of case law). There is no law prohibiting the citation of precedents and lower courts often do. Although the highest courts, the Court of Cassation and the Council of State do not cite precedents in their decisions, previous cases are prominent in arguments of the "ministère public" and the "commissaire du gouvernement," in draft opinions, and in internal files.