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Law vocabulary · Judgments, Appeals & Remedies

Hand down

Meaning in law, with examples

phrasal verbCommon term

In law, hand down means: To announce a judgment or decision officially, especially when a court gives its decision after a period of considering the case.

In Turkish: (karar) vermek, (karar) açıklamak

How it is used

Mostly used with 'judgment', 'decision', 'ruling' or 'sentence': 'the court handed down its judgment on Tuesday'. In England a 'hand-down' is also the short formal step at which a reserved judgment is released.

Example sentences

  1. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its decision before the summer.

  2. Judgment will be handed down remotely by email at 10 a.m.

Common collocations

  • hand down a judgment
  • hand down a decision
  • hand down a ruling
  • judgment handed down
  • judgmentThe final decision of a court in a case, together with the reasons the judge gives for it; also the written document that contains this decision.
  • rulingAn official decision made by a judge or court on a particular question, such as whether evidence can be used or whether a claim can continue.
  • courtA place or institution where judges hear legal disputes and decide them according to the law; the word can also mean the judges themselves.
  • supreme courtThe highest court in a country or state, whose decisions on legal questions usually bind lower courts and cannot be appealed any further.

More terms: Judgments, Appeals & Remedies

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