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Law vocabulary · Courts & Judges

Judiciary

Meaning in law, with examples

/dʒuˈdɪʃəri/nounCommon term

In law, judiciary means: All the judges of a country considered as a group, and the branch of the state that interprets the law and decides cases.

In Turkish: yargı, yargı erki, yargı organı

How it is used

Usually 'the judiciary', with 'the'. It is one of the three branches of the state, alongside the legislature and the executive. Common phrases are 'an independent judiciary', 'members of the judiciary' and 'judicial independence'. The adjective is 'judicial'.

Example sentences

  1. An independent judiciary is essential to the rule of law.

  2. The report looks at diversity in the judiciary over the past twenty years.

Common collocations

  • independent judiciary
  • the senior judiciary
  • members of the judiciary
  • judicial independence
  • judgeA public official who runs a court hearing, listens to both sides and decides the case, or tells the jury how the law applies.
  • legislatureThe elected body, such as a parliament or congress, that has the power to make, change and repeal laws.
  • separation of powersThe principle that the power of the state is divided between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, so that no single branch controls everything.
  • courtA place or institution where judges hear legal disputes and decide them according to the law; the word can also mean the judges themselves.
  • rule of lawThe principle that everyone, including the government and officials, must follow the law, and that laws are applied fairly by independent courts.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Courts & Judges

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