In the legal world, many people have probably heard of holding and dictum because they pertain to legal terms that are used to determine whether the decision is bound to the lower courts. There may be times when someone can appeal to a higher court.
Also, the lower courts must accept the verdict. In a holding, the verdict or opinion is given, and it is bound. It can’t be changed. In an assertion, the verdict or opinion is given, and it is not bound. A claim can change and become a holding. The right words need to be used in the opinion of the courts for others to understand whether a holding or dictum is being used in the court.