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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

opinion

Read a random definition: droit de suite

A quick definition of opinion:

Opinion: In law, an opinion is a written statement by a judge explaining their decision for a case. It includes the judge's name, the facts of the case, the legal issues, the court's reasoning, and the decision. There are different types of opinions, such as majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions. An advisory opinion is a nonbinding statement interpreting the law. Opinion evidence is testimony based on a witness's own thoughts, beliefs, or inferences, while expert opinion is testimony by a witness with specialized knowledge. Opinion work product is material prepared by an attorney that reveals their opinions, mental impressions, conclusions, or legal theories of the case, and is usually not discoverable by an adversary.

A more thorough explanation:

Opinion in law refers to a written statement by a court explaining its decision for a case. This is known as a judicial opinion and usually includes the name of the judge who wrote it, a statement of facts, legal issues, the court's rationale and holding, and dicta. There are different types of judicial opinions:

  • Majority opinion: A judicial opinion that is joined by more than half the judges deciding a case.
  • Concurring opinion: A separate judicial opinion of an appellate judge who voted with the majority, explaining their vote and discussing parts of the decision in which they had a different rationale.
  • Dissenting opinion: A separate judicial opinion of an appellate judge who disagreed with the majority's decision, explaining their disagreement.
  • Advisory opinion: A court's nonbinding statement interpreting the law.
  • Per curiam opinion: A judicial opinion issued under the name of the deciding appellate court, without identifying the judge who wrote it.
  • Plurality opinion: A judicial opinion that received the most votes of any opinion but not enough to be the majority opinion.

Opinion can also refer to witness testimony based on their own thoughts, beliefs, or inferences (opinion evidence), or testimony by an expert witness who possesses specialized knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education (expert opinion). Additionally, opinion work product refers to material prepared by an attorney in preparation of litigation that reveals their opinions, mental impressions, conclusions, or legal theories of the case, which is almost never discoverable by an adversary.

For example, in a court case, the judge will write a judicial opinion explaining their decision. If one of the appellate judges disagrees with the majority's decision, they can write a dissenting opinion. A witness may provide opinion evidence based on their own thoughts or beliefs, while an expert witness may provide expert opinion based on their specialized knowledge. An attorney may prepare opinion work product in preparation for litigation, which is not discoverable by the opposing party.

opinio juris (international law) | option

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HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
Right. Broken links smh
I've been UR since first/second week of Jan, no updates otherwise, is that a bad sign? At or above median LSAT and above 75th gpa.
The profile links are not working for me. anybody else?
13:18
i’m in the same boat mastermonkey but with lower stats. i hope i hear back by mid march
CheeseIsMyLoveLanguage
13:24
@mastermonkey45: Looking at some of the recent decisions in relation to when they went complete, I'd say it's a good sign. It seems many declines were sent within about 5-6 weeks of completion. Given those were applications that were SENT in January, I'd say that means you're still solidly in the running. :)
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