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Law vocabulary · Courts & Judges

Judge

Meaning in law, with examples

/dʒʌdʒ/nounCore term

In law, judge means: A public official who runs a court hearing, listens to both sides and decides the case, or tells the jury how the law applies.

In Turkish: hakim, yargıç

How it is used

Used as a noun and as a verb ('to judge'). Judges 'preside over' cases, 'hear' cases and 'rule on' questions. In writing the title is capitalised before a name: Judge Ellis.

Example sentences

  1. The judge asked both counsel to keep their closing speeches under twenty minutes.

  2. Which judge has been assigned to our case?

Common collocations

  • presiding judge
  • trial judge
  • the judge ruled
  • appear before a judge
  • courtA place or institution where judges hear legal disputes and decide them according to the law; the word can also mean the judges themselves.
  • juryA group of ordinary citizens, often twelve, chosen to listen to the evidence in a trial and decide the facts, for example whether a defendant is guilty.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Your HonourA polite form of address used when speaking directly to a judge in court, used instead of the judge's name.

More terms: Courts & Judges

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