Legal Definitions - hand down

To hand down a decision or opinion means that a court officially announces or publishes its ruling in a case or on a specific legal question.

This term describes the formal act by which a court makes its judgment, order, or written opinion publicly known and legally effective. While originally referring to appellate courts sending their decisions to lower courts, it now broadly applies to any court's official declaration of its findings or conclusions.

• Example 1: Appellate Court Decision

  After months of reviewing a complex environmental regulation case, the State Supreme Court hands down its unanimous opinion, affirming the lower court's ruling and providing a detailed interpretation of the relevant statutes.

  Explanation: This illustrates the highest court officially releasing its final, binding decision and the written reasoning behind it, which then becomes public record and sets a precedent for future cases.

• Example 2: Trial Court Ruling on a Motion

  During a civil lawsuit concerning a breach of contract, the defendant filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the plaintiff's claims lacked legal merit. After considering written arguments and oral presentations from both sides, the trial judge hands down a ruling denying the motion, allowing the case to proceed to trial.

  Explanation: Here, the judge is making an official decision on a specific legal question or "point under consideration" within the ongoing trial, which directly impacts how the case will move forward.

• Example 3: Final Judgment in a Civil Case

  Following a jury verdict in a personal injury case, the judge formally hands down the final judgment, ordering the defendant to pay a specific amount in damages to the plaintiff.

  Explanation: This demonstrates the court's official act of issuing its conclusive determination and orders that resolve the entire case, making the jury's verdict legally enforceable.