Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Courts & Judges

Adjourn

Meaning in law, with examples

/əˈdʒɜːn/verbCommon term

In law, adjourn means: To stop a hearing or meeting for a period and continue it later, either the same day or on a different date.

In Turkish: ertelemek, ara vermek, duruşmayı başka güne bırakmak

How it is used

Judges 'adjourn the hearing', 'adjourn for lunch' or 'adjourn the case to a date to be fixed'. A party may 'apply for an adjournment' if a witness is ill or documents arrive late. The noun is 'adjournment'.

Example sentences

  1. The judge adjourned the hearing until the expert report is ready.

  2. We will adjourn for fifteen minutes.

Common collocations

  • adjourn the hearing
  • adjourn for lunch
  • apply for an adjournment
  • adjourn until
  • adjourned generally
  • hearingA meeting of a court or tribunal where the parties or their lawyers present arguments or evidence on a particular issue.
  • trialThe formal process in court where evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides the case, usually after weeks or months of preparation.
  • judgeA public official who runs a court hearing, listens to both sides and decides the case, or tells the jury how the law applies.
  • presideTo be the judge in charge of a hearing or trial, or the person leading a formal meeting.
  • motionA formal request to a judge, made in writing or orally during a case, asking the court to make a particular order or decision.

More terms: Courts & Judges

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.