Literally, this phrase means things said (dicta) by the way (obiter).

Judicial obiter dicta, that is to say statements of law which go beyond the occasion, and lay down a rule that is irrelevant to the purpose in hand, or is stated by way of analogy merely, or is regarded by a later court as being unduly wide, on the other hand, are persuasive precedents. A court may give various observations not precisely relevant to the issue before it. Such observations do not give the court's final decision on a live issue. So, they are not endowed with as much authority as the actual decision. They are without binding authority, but are nonetheless important. Not only do they help to rationalize the law, they serve to suggest solutions to problems not yet decided by the courts.

Obiter dicta of a High Court decision may not be binding on subordinate courts and judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. However, obiter dicta of the Hon'ble Supreme Court are binding.

Obiter dicta is more or less presumably unnecessary to the decision. It may be an expression of a view point or sentiments which has no binding effect.

An obiter dictum as distinguished from ratio decidendi is an observation of the court on a legal question suggested in a case before it but not arising in such manner as to require a decision. Such an obiter may not have binding precedent but it cannot be denied that it is of considerable weight

Bigamy: Two rites making a wrong. (Bob Hope)